G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements

G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer

G06F3/0484—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object or an image, setting a parameter value or selecting a range

H04L9/00—Cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communication

H04L9/32—Cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system or for message authentication, e.g. authorization, entity authentication, data integrity or data verification, non-repudiation, key authentication or verification of credentials

H04L9/3226—Cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system or for message authentication, e.g. authorization, entity authentication, data integrity or data verification, non-repudiation, key authentication or verification of credentials using a predetermined code, e.g. password, passphrase or PIN

H04W4/04—Services making use of location information using association of physical positions and logical data in a dedicated environment, e.g. buildings or vehicles

H04W76/021—

H—ELECTRICITY

H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE

H04B—TRANSMISSION

H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission

H04B1/38—Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving

H04B1/3827—Portable transceivers

Abstract

A method and system for anonymously associating a workstation user's station control preferences with a workstation, the method comprising the steps of correlating anonymous user IDs with user preference sets in a database, obtaining input from a user at a workstation, comparing the user input to the anonymous user IDs to distinguish one distinguished user from other users without determining the identity of the user, accessing the user preference set associated with the distinguished user and controlling workstation affordances per the accessed user preferences while the user is located within a present zone proximate the workstation.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/727,398 which was filed on Jun. 1, 2015 and which is titled “Powered Furniture Assembly” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/008,723 filed Jun. 6, 2014, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/040,485 filed Aug. 22, 2014, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/106,040 filed on Jan. 21, 2015, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/170,550 which was filed on Jun. 1, 2016 and which is titled “Space Guidance And Management System And Method” and which claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/171,401 which was filed on Jun. 5, 2015 and which is titled “Space Guidance And Management System And Method” and also is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/871,097 which was filed on Sep. 30, 2015 and which is titled “Method And System For Locating Resources And Communicating Within An Enterprise” which further claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/059,602 which was filed on Oct. 3, 2014 and which is also titled “Method And System For Locating Resources And Communicating Within An Enterprise”, each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/170,550 is also a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/730,996 which was filed on Jun. 4, 2015 and which is titled “Environment Optimization For Space Based On Presence And Activities” which claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 62/008,283 which was filed on Jun. 5, 2014 and which also is titled “Environment Optimization For Space Based On Presence And Activities”, each of which is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/170,070 which was filed on Jun. 1, 2016 and which is titled “Affordance Template System And Method” which claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/169,645 filed on Jun. 2, 2015 which is titled “Affordance Template System And Method” as well as to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/205,392 which was filed on Aug. 31, 2015 and which is also titled “Affordance Template System And Method”, each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. For the avoidance of doubt, all of the applications cited in the preceding paragraphs are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The field of the disclosure is furniture, and more specifically, furniture having on-board power sufficient to enable use of one or more feature modules, on board sensor devices and, in at least some cases, on board or associated actuators that can be controlled to change various environmental characteristics associated with the furniture. This disclosure also describes a system for providing feedback and encouragement to furniture users to encourage healthy behaviors.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The value of electronic sensing devices for sensing physiological parameters of a person has been known in the medical industry for many years. To this end, many sensing devices have been developed that can be adhered or mechanically attached to a person's body at specific locations to sense specific parameter such as heart beat, breathing rate, temperature, blood flow, perspiration rate, etc. In addition, many applications have been developed to use sensed physiological parameters data to determine other conditions of a person. In some cases, physicians or other health care specialists have used sensed data to detect physical conditions of clients and to advise clients on lifestyle changes designed to help clients live healthier lives. In other cases, systems have been developed for home use to monitor biometric parameters and provide feedback to a person or the person's physician to indicate current health conditions or physiological parameter trending over time. In some cases sensed data has been used by other entities such as, for instance, insurance companies, to customize policies based on perceived health of particular persons.

One problem with early sensing systems was that those systems generally required a person to be located at a specific location in order to use the sensing systems. For instance, in some cases a person was required to be at a medical facility to be connected up to a sensing system. As another instance, in some cases a person was required to be at home where a processor and sensor assembly was located in order to use a sensing system.

Recently, with the advent of smaller electronic devices, smaller power sources and portable interface devices (e.g., smartphones, pad-type devices, etc.), many personal portable sensing devices have been developed along with associated applications that can be used by individuals or proxies (e.g., a primary care physician) to track physiological parameters over long periods of time outside of a hospital or home environment. For instance, there are many wrist mountable devices on the market today which monitor various physiological parameters and provide those parameters to an application run on a computing device (e.g., a pad-type device) which in turn processes the received data and outputs the data or other data derived therefrom to the person wearing the device for consideration. In many cases the idea here is to make a person aware of their physiological parameters and encourage a lifestyle change or at least maintenance of a healthy lifestyle that currently exists. Thereafter, the person receiving the data is required to act based on the received data to change or maintain their lifestyle. One particular advantage of wearable devices is that those devices may be in contact with a person's body for many hours each day and therefore data can be obtained over long periods of time and during different activities (e.g., exercise, relaxation, cognitively stressful periods, etc.). Thus, these devices that are in contact with a person's body over the long term, can feed new and more complex applications based on long term parameter values.

In addition to physiological parameter sensors, other sensor systems and devices have been developed for sensing various aspects of a person's behavior. For instance, wrist mounted or otherwise wearable pedometers have been developed that can estimate or count the number of steps a person takes during the course of a day or a distance traveled during a day or during an event (e.g., during a run). Other sensors have been developed to sense other behaviors or activities of a person (e.g., sitting, standing, etc.).

One problem with wearable devices like wrist mounted devices is that many people simply do not like wearing electronic devices. For instance, in many cases these devices are relatively large and clunky and can physically get in the way of some activities. As another instance, many wearable devices have an industrial look and feel and therefore are aesthetically unappealing. Still one other problem with wearable devices is that many of these devices are expensive and therefore cannot be personally purchased by many people that would like to take advantage of the functionality associated therewith. Still one other problem with these devices is that they typically require batteries and therefore, at least periodically, require some affirmative step by a user to initiate a recharge cycle. In most cases recharging require removal of the device and connection to some stationary charging station. Still one other problem with these devices is that they require a user to react correctly to generated data in order to make a change in the person's health (i.e., if a person is too sedentary, the person needs to become more active to improve their health).

One way to overcome many of the problems associated with wearable sensing devices is to provide sensing devices within a person's environment that are separate from the person but in proximity such that the devices can still sense physiological parameters and behaviors. Optimal places for sensors are locations where a person is located for a long time. For instance, most people spend one quarter to one third of their time in their beds. For this reason, some systems have been developed to place at least some types of sensors in mattress or other bed structure. As another instance, many people spend at least some time each day driving in their vehicles. For this reason, some systems have been developed that include sensors proximate a vehicle driver for sensing biometrics.

For many people, the place they spend most of their time after their bed is at work. For instance, many people spend eight, ten, or more hours at a facility operated by their employer. In many cases when a person spends a lot of time at work, most of that time is spent in a relatively small area. For example, many employees spend most of their time at work in a personal office or at a personal workstation or in a temporarily selected office or workstation. In fact, in many cases, a person spends most of her time in only a portion of an office or space proximate a work station. For instance, in many cases, an employee will be seated in a task chair proximate a desk or workstation where the chair is only moved within a small area (e.g., 5 by 5 feet) throughout a work day. In fact, in many cases a hard plastic floor mat is provided under a task chair to facilitate movement of the chair on casters adjacent a desk or workstation. Here, in most cases, a person is inclined to use their chair on the mat within the relatively small space (e.g., 5 by 5 feet) defined thereby. In cases where there is no mat, a person still typically only uses their chair in a space immediately adjacent a work station. Thus, in many cases each employee within an employer's facility spends most of her time within a relatively small defined space.

With respect to poor habits or behaviors or physiological parameters that adversely affect a person's health, it may be that some unhealthy activities for certain people occur at work. For instance, it is known that it is unhealthy for a person to remain stationary for long periods of time. Nevertheless, many people sit in a task chair for hours at a time without standing, walking or other physical activity. As another instance, it is known that it may be unhealthy to remain in the same position for a long time as such inaction puts undue stress on certain parts of a person's body which, in many cases, ultimately results in some form of pain. Nevertheless, many people working at a workstation maintain a single position, often times with poor posture, for hours on end without significant movement.

One other behavior that is often more prevalent within a working environment than in home environments is poor eating. In this regard, while people can control the foods they bring into their homes and often can spend additional time seeking out and preparing healthy foods when not at work, time restraints and lack of cooking resources often mean that eating habits at work facilities suffer appreciably. Poor eating habits are exacerbated in work environments where co-workers often bring unhealthy options to share during holidays or special occasions when there is added pressure to participate in festivities.

Thus, for various reasons it makes sense to provide physiological parameter sensors and behavioral sensors in work spaces used by people. First, many people are located in their work spaces for long and continuous periods and therefore instantaneous and long term physiological parameter data can be collected and analyzed. Second, by providing sensors to sense physiological and behavioral data within a work space, that data can be collected during normal daily activities to get a different view of a person's health and behavior. Third, by detecting parameters and behavior essentially in real time in a work environment, feedback can be provided to a person whenever some parameter is outside a range of acceptable values or when an altered behavior is determined to be relatively optimal.

A typical workstation includes, among other things, a desk or table that forms at least one work surface and a task chair adjacent thereto. In many cases a workstation will also include some type of stationary computing device such as a computer with a keyboard for user input and a flat panel or other type of display screen for providing information to a workstation user. A task chair is the one workstation device or assembly that most workstation users are in contact with most of the time while using a workstation. For this reason, locating sensors within a chair seat for sensing basic information such as presence, temperature, etc., is particularly advantageous and is generally known.

One problem with placing a sensor in a mobile chair has to do with how to get power to the sensors and how to get data from the sensors to a system processor for analysis, storage and reporting.

Thus, what is needed is a system that can sense many different physiological parameters of a person within a workspace and can use sensed parameter values to perform various functions. More specifically, what is needed is a system including sensors provided within furniture affordances that are proximate a workspace user and that optimally make contact (either direct or through clothing) with a person during workspace use so that reliable physiological parameter data can be obtained. In the case of a task chair, what is needed is a way to deliver power to the chair for powering sensors that is efficient and extremely easy to use, optimally requiring little if any activity from a chair user to provide the power. In addition, it would be advantageous if a chair could automatically adjust operations as a function of sensed physiological parameters or behaviors of a user of the chair in ways intended to increase overall chair user health and wellbeing.

With an enterprise facility, second to the chair, the affordance most people are near or touching most often and for extended periods of time is a workstation table. Thus, it would also be advantageous to integrate sensor devices within a workstation table assembly in addition to or instead of in a chair.

One particularly useful way to positively affect a chair user's health is to, in many cases, encourage the chair user to get out of the chair, to intermittently stand for periods between sitting periods. To support a user that alternates between standing and sitting, workstations with height adjustable tabletops have been developed. In at least some cases simple reminder systems have been developed that provide reminders to change from sitting to standing and vice versa based on the duration of a workstation tabletop in the sitting and standing positions. For instance, in a simple case, if a user has been sitting for one hour, a reminder may be provided to encourage the user to stand.

While simple sit-stand reminder systems in height adjustable workstations are advantageous, they have several shortcomings. First, in known systems reminder times are based on duration of periods that tabletops are in sit and stand positions. While durations of sit and stand periods are interesting, they only represent a very small amount of information which is simply not a reliable proxy for a station user's current condition. For instance, if a person sits from 10 AM to noon while working at her workstation and then runs for two hours during an extended lunch break and returns to her workstation, a sit-stand reminder system would likely encourage her to stand for some time. Here the encouragement to stand would be based on the two hour sitting period from 10 AM to noon and would ignore the two hour run and, in the context of the run, would simply be bothersome and make no sense.

As another instance, if a station user stands at his station from 11 AM to noon and then attends a two hour lunch meeting where he sits in a conference room for the entire two hour meeting, upon returning to his station, based on the 11 AM to noon standing period and ignoring the two hours of sitting at the meeting, the system would likely recommend a sitting period which again, would be bothersome and make no sense.

Second, the assumption that a workstation user is standing and sitting when a workstation tabletop is at a standing and sitting height, respectively, is often wrong. For instance, in many cases high stools or task chairs may be used at stations to support users in sitting positions while using a standing height tabletop. As another instance, most sit-stand tables only provide a portion of workstation worksurface where other worksurface area is persistently at a sitting height. In these cases, for instance, a height adjustable leg structure may support a rectangular tabletop for height adjustment while one or more other tabletops at a station are persistently at the sitting height. In many cases even when a height adjustable tabletop is high, a station user will use one of the low station worksurfaces while sitting.

As yet another instance, tying reminders to sensed prior sit-stand periods along ignore another source of informative data that could be used to better determine when to suggest user position changes. To this end, a user's schedule, as captured by electronic scheduling software, can be mined for tell tale signs of the user's physical posture while away from a workstation (e.g., assume the user is sitting when scheduled for meeting in a conference room, assume the user is walking when traveling on campus for 20 minutes between two conference rooms, etc.).

As another instance, simple tabletop height based sit-stand processes fail to take into consideration a user's real time physiological condition such as heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, state of perspiration, breathing condition, etc., and therefore, often times may suggest a position change that could negatively affect a station user's condition. Similarly, basing sit-stand recommendations solely on tabletop height periods ignores a station user's state of mine and can often serve as a distraction that may adversely affect user work product. For instance, where a user is currently deep in thought (e.g., in a state of “flow”), a reminder to change position can often disturb the user's state and therefore adversely affect work product.

Another general shortcoming with known workstations is that many stations include lighting, power, audio and video capabilities that are simply not adjustable to user preferences. For instance, some user's may like ceiling lighting on worksurfaces while others may strongly prefer quiet baroque music while other want background white noise while working. In many cases workstation affordances cannot be adjusted to meet these and other preferences. In cases where affordances are adjustable to meet personal preferences, in many cases users simply do not take the time to set their preferences. This is especially true in the case of workstations that are used by many users or part of a shared hotelling facility space as opposed to in dedicated user workstations.

Yet one other problem with known workstations and furniture affordances that do sense at least some user activities and/or physiological conditions is that user can perceive that their privacy is being invaded. Thus, for instance, if a user's identity has to be known for a system to access personal physiological data needed to drive sit-stand processes, position change processes or other workstation services, many users may view the identity and physiological parameters combination as a personal data privacy violation.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

It has been recognized that, other than a bed, office furniture are the objects that many people make the most contact with during the course of a day. For this reason, placement of physiological sensors in office furniture such as an office chair or workstation table is particularly advantageous. The value of placement of sensors within a chair and or table that a person contacts or is proximate for hours a day is enhanced as often times health challenges may occur during working hours when a person is too sedentary, sometimes under stress and often times eating foods that are less than optimal.

It has also been recognized that the locations of sensors on or in a chair can appreciably affect the accuracy of the data obtained thereby. For instance, placement of a sensor on a chair arm rest where a bare forearm may reside or where a forearm is often covered with a relatively thin shirt material may be advantageous. Similarly, placement of a sensor in the front surface of a backrest may also be advantageous. Seat sensors may also be advantageous, for example, placement of a sensor in the front edge of a seat may yield accurate data when the back portion of a user's knees are pressed up against the front edge of the seat.

It has further been recognized that where a moveable/portable chair includes an on-board battery, a charging system may be provided that automatically starts charging when no person is located within a pre-defined space and where charging is discontinued automatically whenever someone enters the predefined space. For instance, in at least some embodiments a 5 by 5 foot chair mat may be fitted with one or more inductive coupling antennas and a coil may be mounted to the underside of the chair (e.g., within the base of the chair). A sensor may sense when no one is in a room in which the chair is located and may start battery charging when no one is in the room. Upon sensing a person entering the space, the system may automatically stop charging the battery. Thus, for instance, if a person leaves a room to grab lunch, while the person is outside the room, the system may charge the battery through the mat. By charging the battery only when no one is in the room, any concerns a person may have about being present within an inductive field are avoided. As another instance, when no person is located proximate the charging mat (e.g., a specific space), the system may start the charging process.

In other cases, instead of including an inductive mat with a chair that includes a coil, an electrical mat may be provided for use with a chair that includes electrical probes or brushes that extend down from an undersurface of the chair to the mat to make electrical contact therewith for battery charging purposes. Here, again, charging may only occur when there is no one in a space (e.g., a room, a proximate area about the mat, etc.). In some cases the probes or brushes may be stationary and always contact the charging mat there below. In other cases, the probes may be mounted to pistons or the like that are powered to move the probes up and down to break and make contact with the charging pad there below. Here, for instance, where a chair has a five spoke base with wheels or casters at distal ends, first and second probes may be mounted to two of the spokes proximate two of the casters. When a person is in a room in which the chair is located, the probes may be raised up so that they do not contact the mat and power to the mat may be turned off. When no person is located in the room, the probes may be pushed downward and contact the mat to start the charging process.

Moveable electrical probes may be provided on other parts of a task chair for connection to other charging devices. For instance, in some cases first and second probes may be provided in the top surfaces of first and second chair armrest members. Here, a charging mat or similar device may be provided on the undersurface of a workstation table. To charge a battery mounted on the chair, the chair may have to be placed in a stowed position with the armrests under a front edge of the workstation table below the charging mat. When so positioned, the system may cause the armrests to raise so that the probes contact the charging mat and charging commences. In other cases the probes themselves instead of the armrests may be raised to make contact with the charging mat. In this case, instead of sensing the location of a person, the system may sense the location of the chair relative to the charging mat. Here, charging would not occur until the chair is in a location under the workstation, which would prevent a person from sitting on the chair. In other cases charging still may not occur until no one is sensed within the room or the space associated with the chair.

In at least some cases, instead of providing a motorized moveable probe on the chair, the moveable probes may be provided as part of the charging mat or device. For instance, in the case of a mat on the undersurface of a workstation table, a motor may drive the mat downward when chair arms are located beneath the workstation so that different parts (e.g., positive and negative) of the mat contact the armrest members for charging purposes. By providing the motors and moveable probes on the workstation as opposed to the moveable chair several advantages result. First, the chair can have an appearance that is more like the appearance of popular task chairs manufactured today. Second, motors and moveable probes that may be relatively more subject to damage than other components are provided as part of a stationary furniture affordance as opposed to the moveable chair which should result in a more robust overall design.

The sensor that determines if a person is within the space and/or the location of a chair within a space may take any of several different forms including a simple presence sensor, an entry and exit counter, a movement sensor, a camera that processes high definition images, etc.

In at least some embodiments it is contemplated that some type of indicator may be provided that affirmatively indicates whether a chair battery is being charged. For example, there may be an indicator that signals to a user of a chair that the chair battery is not being charged while the chair is in use. Where an indicator of no charge is provided, any user concern regarding simultaneous charging may be eliminated. For example, in some cases a small device may be provided for placement on the top surface of a workstation table or the like that includes red and green LED indicators aligned with a two state legend that indicates “charging” and “not charging”, respectively. Here, when the green LED is illuminated, a chair user would know that the battery is not being charged and when the red LED is illuminated a person could determine that the chair is currently being charged.

In any case where a chair needs to be positioned relative to a charging device for a battery to be charged, it is contemplated that one or more motors may be provided on the chair for moving the chair to a charging position automatically. For instance, where a chair seat is mounted for rotation about a center post to a castered base, one motor may be provided on one of the casters and a second motor may be provided on the base to rotate the seat there above to any rotational angle with respect to the base. The motor on the caster should be able to move the base to any location on a floor mat or an ambient floor there below, albeit where the base may assume any orientation. The second motor between the base and the seat should be controllable to rotate the seat to a position where the armrests are directed toward an open space under the workstation table top and a charging pad mounted there under, once the seat and armrest are aligned with the open space, the first caster motor can drive the chair toward the table until the arm rests are located under the pad. While the chair is moving toward the table, if the base rotates somewhat, the motor between the base and the seat can compensate for that rotation by rotating the seat and armrests attached thereto to maintain alignment with the pad. Once the armrests are under the pad, the pad may be lowered to contact probes in the armrests and charge the batter. In an alternative embodiment the two motors may be linked to first and second different casters for driving the chair into the charging position.

Where a chair base includes five casters, the first and second powered casters may be adjacent each other or may be separated by a non-powered caster. In either case, the two powered casters may be controlled together to move the chair to any desired position for charging.

In at least some cases where a chair includes motors, when a person enters a space associated with the chair during a charging cycle, in addition to automatically stopping the charging cycle, the system may also control the motors in the chair to move the chair into a welcoming position facing an entry egress into the space. For instance, a motor may drive a powered caster to move the chair back away from a charging position proximate a workstation table and a motor between the chair base and the seat may rotate the seat to face the egress. In some cases, after a chair battery is fully charged, the chair motors may be controlled to automatically move the chair into the welcoming position regardless of whether or not a person is located within the space associated with the chair.

In some cases, instead of powering one or more casters for moving a chair to a charging position, a separate driving device may be provided that is designed specifically to move the chair toward and/or away from a charging position. To this end, for instance, a driving device including first and second spaced apart wheels may be provided below a central portion of a chair base. Here, the driving member may be at least couplable to a central pivot post between the base and a seat and the two wheels that comprise part of the driving device may be located on opposite sides of a vertical axis through the central pivot post. In this case, where the wheels are driven in opposite directions while the driving member is coupled to the central post, the seat may be rotated and where the wheels are driven in the same direction the chair may be moved from one location to another. Thus, both rotational and directional control using a single driving device may be facilitated.

It has also been recognized that a chair can be used automatically to change a condition or a person's behavior when some undesirable condition occurs. For instance, in at least some embodiments, motors may be provided on a chair and linked to various components to alter the relative juxtaposition of chair components periodically to change the position of a person sitting in the chair.

In accordance with the present invention, methods and systems for communicating with a user of an article of furniture are provided that substantially eliminate or reduce the disadvantages and problems associated with previous systems and methods. In particular, the present invention contemplates methods and systems for providing information to a user of an article of furniture regarding his or her interaction with the environment and physical or mental engagement or health.

In one embodiment, a method of providing information to a user of an article of furniture comprises sensing a first data set about a user of an article of furniture through the use of a sensor, sending the first data set to a processor, generating a conclusion based on the first data set, generating a second data set about the user through input by the user, where the input relates to the conclusion, sending the second data set to the processor, generating an output about the user based on the first data set and the second data set, and sending the output to the user. Other embodiments include a system for providing information to a user of an article of furniture that comprises a sensor configured to sense a first data set about a user of an article of furniture, and a processor configured to receive the first data set from the sensor, generate a conclusion based on the first data set, receive a second data set about the user based on input from the user, where the input relates to the conclusion, generate an output about the user based on the first data set and the second data set, and send the output to the user. Some embodiments include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing program instructions, which when executed by a processor cause the processor to execute a method of providing information to a user of an article of furniture, the method comprising receiving a first data set generated by a sensor about a user of an article of furniture, generating a conclusion based on the first data set, prompting the solicitation of a second data set from about the user through input by the user, where the input relates to the conclusion, receiving the second data set to the processor, generating an output about the user based on the first data set and the second data set, and sending the output to the user. Similar embodiments may include a method for collecting information about a user of an article of furniture and sending the information to a processor, the method comprising identifying a selected position for a sensor within a work environment appropriate to sense a first data set about a user of an article of furniture within the work environment, placing the sensor in the selected position, creating a network between at least the sensor, a processor, and a device configured to solicit a second data set from a user, ensuring the sensor is configured to send the first data set to the processor, and ensuring the processor is configured to receive the first data set from the sensor and the second data set from the device, generate an output about the user based on the first data set and the second data set, and send the output to the user. Another embodiment may include a system for collecting information about a plurality of users in a work environment, the system comprising a plurality of articles of furniture in a work environment, a plurality of sensors positioned within the work environment and configured to sense individual data sets about a plurality of users of the article of furniture, and a processor configured to receive the individual data sets from the plurality of sensors, generate a plurality of conclusions, each conclusion based on one of the individual data sets, receive input data sets, each input data set resulting from input from one user of the plurality of users and relating to one conclusion of the plurality of conclusions, generate outputs, each output based on at least one of the individual data sets and one of the input data sets, and send one or more outputs to one or more users of the plurality of users.

In another embodiment, a method for providing information to a user of an article of furniture comprises sensing a data set about a user, sending the data set to a processor, generating an output based on the data set and an input from an organizational user, and sending the output to the user. Other embodiments include a system for providing information to a user of an article of furniture, the system comprising a sensor configured to sense a data set about a user and transmit the data set, and a processor configured to receive the data set from the sensor, generate an output based on the data set and an input from an organizational user, and transmit the output to the user. Some embodiments include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing program instructions, which when executed by a processor cause the processor to execute a method of providing information to a user of an article of furniture, the method comprising receiving a data set generated by a sensor about a user of an article of furniture, receiving an input from an organizational user, generating an output based on the data set and the input from the organizational user, and sending the output to the user. A similar embodiment includes a method for collecting information about a user of an article of furniture and sending the information to a processor, the method comprising identifying a selected position for a sensor within a work environment appropriate to sense a data set about a user of an article of furniture within the work environment, placing the sensor in the selected position, and ensuring the sensor is configured to send the data set to a processor, and ensuring the processor is configured to receive the data set from the sensor and an input from an organizational user, generate an output based on the first data set and the input from the organizational user, and send the output to the user. An additional embodiment includes a system for collecting information about a plurality of users in a work environment, the system comprising a plurality of articles of furniture in a work environment, a plurality of sensors positioned within the work environment and configured to sense individual data sets about a plurality of users of the article of furniture, and a processor configured to receive the individual data sets from the plurality of sensors, receive an input from an organizational user, generate a plurality of outputs based on the individual data sets and the input from the organizational user, and send one or more outputs of the plurality of outputs to one or more users of the plurality of users.

In another embodiment, a method for providing information to a user of an article of furniture comprises sensing a data set about a user of an article of furniture, sending the data set to a processor, generating an output based on the data set, determining a preferred time range for communication with the user, and sending the output to the user during the preferred time range for communication. Other embodiments include a system for providing information to a user of an article of furniture, the system comprising a sensor configured to sense a data set about a user and transmit the data set, and a processor configured to receive the data set, generate an output based on the data set, determine a preferred time range for communication with the user, and send the output to the user during the preferred time range for communication. Some embodiments include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing program instructions, which when executed by a processor cause the processor to execute a method of providing information to a user of an article of furniture, the method comprising receiving a first data set generated about a user of an article of furniture, generating an output based on the first data set, determining a preferred time range for communication with the user, and sending the output to the user during the preferred time range for communication. Similar embodiments include a method for collecting information about a user of an article of furniture and sending the information to a processor, the method comprising identifying a selected position within a work environment appropriate to sense a data set about a user of an article of furniture within the work environment, placing a sensor in the selected position, and ensuring the sensor is configured to send the data set to a processor, wherein the processor is configured to generate an output based on the data set, determine a preferred time range for communication with the user, and send the output to the user during the preferred time range for communication. An additional embodiment includes a system for collecting information about a plurality of users in a work environment, the system comprising a plurality of articles of furniture in a work environment, a plurality of sensors positioned within the work environment and configured to sense individual data sets about a plurality of users of the article of furniture, and a processor configured to receive the individual data sets from the plurality of sensors, to determine a preferred time range for communication with one or more users of the plurality of users, and to send the one or more outputs to the one or more users during the preferred time range for communication.

In another embodiment, a method for providing information to a user of an article of furniture comprises sensing a first data set about a first user of a first article of furniture, sensing a second data set about a second user of a second article of furniture, sending the first and second data sets to a processor, generating an output based on the first and second data sets and an input from the organizational user, and sending the output to the first user. Other embodiments include a system for providing information to a user of an article of furniture, the system comprising a first sensor configured to sense a first data set about a first user of a first article of furniture, a second sensor configured to sense a second data set about a second user of a second article of furniture, and a processor configured to receive the first and second data sets, generate an output based on the first and second data sets and an input from the organizational user, and send the output to the first user. Some embodiments include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing program instructions, which when executed by a processor cause the processor to execute a method of providing information to a user of an article of furniture, the method comprising sensing a first data set about a first user of a first article of furniture, sensing a second data set about a second user of a second article of furniture, sending the first and second data sets to a processor, generating an output based on the first and second data sets and an input from an organizational user, and sending the output to the first user. A similar embodiment includes a method for collecting information about users within a work environment, the method comprising identifying a plurality of positions within a work environment appropriate for sensing, placing a first sensor in a first position of the plurality of positions, wherein the first position is a position appropriate to sense a first data set about a first user of a first article of furniture placing a second sensor in a second position of the plurality of positions, wherein the second position is a position appropriate to sense a second data set about a second user of a second article of furniture, and ensuring the first and second sensors are configured to send the first and second data sets to a processor, wherein the processor is configured to generate an output based on the first and second data sets and an input from an organizational user and to send the output to the first user. Another embodiment includes a system for collecting information about a plurality of users in a work environment, the system comprising a plurality of articles of furniture in a work environment, a plurality of sensors positioned in the work environment and configured to sense individual data sets about a plurality of users of the plurality of articles of furniture, and a processor configured to receive the individual data sets from the plurality of sensors, generate one or more outputs based on the data sets and one or more inputs from an organizational user, and send the one or more outputs to the one or more users.

An additional embodiment includes a method for providing information to a user of a work space that comprises identifying a user within a pre-determined proximity of a workspace, adjusting an environmental factor in the workspace based on the user, generating a first data set about the user through a sensor within the workspace, sending the first data set to the processor, receiving an input from the user while the user is within the workspace, and adjusting a second environmental factor in the workspace based on the user.

Technical advantages of various embodiments include the ability to communicate with an individual regarding his physical activity, posture, work location, mental activity, including a level of engagement with his work, health factors, and other factors that may impact his wellbeing. In addition, by collecting information from the individual as he interacts with his physical environment, including chairs, tables, and other furniture, communication may be more individually tailored to provide information, encouragement, motivation, coaching, and rewards designed to improve physical and mental health and satisfaction. Advantages may include the ability to utilize the system as it relates to a group of individuals and to communicate with the group regarding its collective occupancy and wellbeing. In some embodiments, advantages may also arise from sharing information with a professional charged with optimizing an organization's resources, such as a facility manager.

In at least some cases it has been recognized that a global user dataset can be maintained for employees that use facility workstations and other affordances and that the global dataset can drive space affordance operations as well as to provide generally optimal user behavior guidance/encouragement. Here, a user's global dataset may include a large use preference dataset or specification indicating preferred affordance settings and station and other services. The global dataset may also include data related to sensed station parameters as well as physiological conditions of a user sensed by station sensors. The global dataset may also include sensed user conditions from sensors that are separate from the workstation (e.g., a wrist mounted computing device) as well as data from a user's electronically maintained schedule and/or from third party information providers like a weather or traffic reporting service.

Some embodiments include a method for anonymously associating a workstation user's station control preferences with a workstation, the method comprising the steps of correlating anonymous user IDs with user preference sets in a database, obtaining input from a user at a workstation, comparing the user input to the anonymous user IDs to distinguish one distinguished user from other users without determining the identity of the user, accessing the user preference set associated with the distinguished user and controlling workstation affordances per the accessed user preferences while the user is located within a present zone proximate the workstation.

In some cases the step of obtaining input from a user includes receiving an anonymous code that the user inputs at the workstation. In some cases the step of obtaining input from a user further includes querying the user for the anonymous code. Some cases further include the steps of, where a user preference set is not stored for a specific user, controlling the workstation in a manner consistent with a default preference set. Some cases further include the steps of, where a user preference set is not stored for a specific user, sensing at least one physiological parameter of a user proximate the workstation, using the sensed parameter to generate a prescriptive preference set and using the prescriptive preference set to control workstation affordances.

In some cases the anonymous user IDs include bio-signatures for each of the users and wherein the step of obtaining input includes sensing biometric information from a user. In some cases the step of comparing includes comparing the sensed biometric information to the bio-signatures to identify the user. In some cases the workstation affordances are placed in a standby state when the user moves out of the present zone. In some cases the step of controlling further includes associating the user preferences with the station and wherein the association is maintained for at least a timeout period after the user moves out of the present zone.

In some cases, if the user moves back into the present zone during the timeout period, the step of controlling again includes controlling the workstation affordances per the user preferences. Some cases further include the step of monitoring for user changes to workstation control and altering user preferences based on at least some changes to workstation control. In some cases the user preferences include preferences related to services to the facilitated by the workstation affordances.

Other embodiments include a method for associating a user's portable computing device with a workstation, the method comprising the steps of sensing a link activity at the workstation indicating that a user wants to associate the user's portable computing device with the workstation, determining that the user's portable computing device is located within a wireless near field zone, obtaining a device ID from the user's portable device that is located in the wireless near field zone, establishing wireless communication with the user's portable device via the device ID, presenting a workstation control interface via a display screen on the portable device, monitoring the location of the user's portable device within a wireless present zone associated with the workstation wherein the wireless present zone is larger than the near field zone and if the user's portable device is no longer detected within the wireless present zone, removing the workstation control interface from the display screen.

Some cases further include the steps of, while the workstation control interface is presented on the display screen, receiving a workstation control signal from the portable device and controlling workstation affordances per the control signal. Some cases further include the steps of, after removing the workstation control interface form the display screen, if the user's portable device is again detected within the wireless present zone, presenting the workstation control interface on the display screen. In some cases the step of establishing wireless communication with the user's portable device via the device ID includes establishing an association between the user's portable device and a workstation processor.

Some cases further include the steps of monitoring the location of the user's portable device within a wireless station zone associated with the workstation wherein the wireless station zone is larger than the present zone and if the user's portable device is no longer detected within the wireless present zone and is still within the station zone, maintaining the association between the portable device and the workstation processor and if the portable device is outside the station zone, disassociating the portable device from the workstation processor. In some cases the near field zone is located above a portion of a workstation tabletop assembly. In some cases the link activity includes bumping the portable device into a workstation component and a workstation sensor sensing the bumping action. In some cases the link activity includes a user tapping on a workstation component and a workstation sensor sensing the tapping action.

These and other objects, advantages and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention. Such embodiment does not necessarily represent the full scope of the invention and reference is made therefore, to the claims herein for interpreting the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a chair assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a chair assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a chair assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a chair assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a chair assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a chair assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic of an electronic configuration of a chair assembly, user-based processor, and facility-based processor, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is workspace including a chair assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a chair assembly shown in a recharging configuration, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a chair assembly shown in a recharging configuration, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is chair assembly with a charging mechanism that interfaces with an underside of a work surface, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a chair assembly with a charging mechanism that interfaces with an underside of a work surface, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a chair assembly with a charging mechanism that interfaces with an underside of a work surface, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a chair assembly interfaced with a movable recharging station, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a chair assembly and a movable recharging station, showing the movable recharging station interfaced with a stationary recharging station, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a projection view of a base assembly and charging probes atop a functional surface having charging zones, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a base assembly of a chair assembly having selectively deployable charging probes that can interface with a charging mat, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a base assembly of a chair assembly having selectively deployable charging probes that can interface with a charging mat, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a chair assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a method of recharging a rechargeable power supply of a chair assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a method of recharging a rechargeable power supply of a chair assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a method of recharging a rechargeable power supply of a chair assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a method of recharging a rechargeable power supply of a chair assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 24 is a computer display screen shot that indicates a chair charge status, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 25 is a chair assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 26 is a chair assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 27 is a chair assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 28 is a schematic of the electronic configuration of a chair assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 29 is a schematic of the electronic configuration of a chair assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 30 is a schematic of the electronic configuration of a chair assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 31 is a chair assembly located in front of a work surface having various sensors thereon, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 32 is a caster of a chair assembly having recharging probes that can interface with a recharging mat, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 33 is a caster of a chair assembly having recharging-probe-containing wheels that can interface with a recharging mat, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 34 is a chair assembly having motors in an upper and lower portion of the back assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 35 is a base assembly of a chair assembly having a single-post that can extend down and contains a wireless charging receiver, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 36 is a chair assembly shown in a recharging configuration, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 37 is chair assembly with a charging mechanism that interfaces with an underside of a work surface, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 38 is a view from beneath a chair assembly on a chair mat with a wireless charging assembly affixed to the base assembly and a wireless charging transmitter in the mat, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 39 illustrates a system for providing information to a user of an article of furniture in accordance with a particular embodiment;

FIG. 40 illustrates a diagram of various details of a system for providing information to a user in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 41 illustrates a system for providing information to a user in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 42 illustrates a method for providing information to a user in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 43 illustrates a diagram of various details about information collected within a system for providing information to a user in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 44 illustrates a system for providing information to a user in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 45 illustrates a method for providing information to a user in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 46 illustrates a system for providing information to a user in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 47 illustrates a method for providing information to a user in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 48 illustrates a system for providing information to a user in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 49 illustrates a method for providing information to a user in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 50 is a chair assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 51 is a chair assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 52 is a chair assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 53 is a chair assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 54 is a chair assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 55 is a chair assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 56 is a flowchart showing a method of determining whether or not to adjust a user's posture based on the user's flow state;

FIG. 57 is an armrest with a touch screen located on a front portion, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 58 is a chair assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 59 is an illustration of an portable device app for controlling the sharing of data with certain entities, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 60 is a perspective view of an exemplary desk lamp that includes a built in camera or other type of sensor device;

FIG. 61 is a schematic view illustrating various office resources that include identification tags readable via a smartphone device to form a local network of things controllable together to provide an integrated experience;

FIG. 62 is a perspective view of an exemplary workstation assembly that is consistent with various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 63 is a schematic representation of an exemplary user preferences/use data base that is consistent with at least some aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 64 is a schematic showing a services database that is consistent with at least some aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 65 includes a flowchart that illustrates an exemplary process for associating user preferences with a workstation in an anonymous fashion;

FIG. 66 is a top plan view of a portion of the top surface of a tabletop from FIG. 62 showing an emissive surface interface;

FIG. 67 is similar to FIG. 66, albeit showing the emissive surface interface at a different time during operation;

FIG. 68 is a flowchart illustrating a subprocess that may be substituted for a portion of the process shown in FIG. 65 whereby user biometrics are used to anonymously associate a user's preferences with a workstation;

FIG. 69 is similar to FIG. 62, albeit showing a different overall facility configuration and workstation configuration that is consistent with at least some aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 70 is a flowchart illustrating a process whereby a station user uses a biometric reader on a badge to authenticate the user's identify causing a user's station preferences to be accessed anonymously by a system processor;

FIG. 71 is a partial perspective view of a subset of the components of the workstation assembly shown in FIG. 69;

FIG. 72 is a perspective view of yet another workstation assembly that is consistent with at least some aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 73 is a schematic view illustrating a subset of the workstation components from FIG. 72;

FIG. 74 is a schematic top plan view showing an exemplary layout of a workstation tabletop power delivery assembly that is consistent with at least some aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 75 includes a flow chart illustrating a process whereby devices or internet thing enabled affordances are added to a workstation configuration and are automatically controlled as a function of previously specified user preferences;

FIG. 76 is a flow chart illustrating a process whereby a user's global user dataset is used to drive workstation processes and services wherein the global dataset includes data from sources other than sensors at the workstation location;

FIG. 77 is a schematic diagram illustrating a workstation table assembly that is consistent with at least some aspects of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 78 is a flow chart illustrating a method for associating a portable wireless computing device with a workstation for control.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the orientation experienced by a user occupying the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. Various elements of the embodiments disclosed herein may be described as being operably coupled to one another, which includes elements either directly or indirectly coupled to one another. Further, the term “chair” as utilized herein encompasses various seating arrangements of office chairs, vehicle seating, home seating, stadium seating, theater seating, and the like.

Unless indicated otherwise, the term “user” will be used in this specification to refer to a person that uses resources or other affordances within an enterprise space. For instance, a user may be an employee of a company or other entity (i.e., an enterprise) that uses a task chair and a workstation (e.g., resources) in a company facility. The term “enterprise” will be used to refer to a facility operator entity such as employer, a workspace management company, etc., and an enterprise facility will include any facility operated by the enterprise.

Reference numeral 10 (FIGS. 1-6) generally designates a chair assembly as set forth in the present disclosure. In the illustrated example, the chair assembly 10 includes a base assembly 12, a support assembly 14 affixed to the base assembly 12, a seat assembly 16 affixed to the support assembly, a back assembly 18 affixed to the seat assembly 16 or the support assembly 14, and a pair of arm assemblies 20 each affixed to the seat assembly 16, the back assembly 18, or the support assembly 14. FIG. 1 shows the chair assembly 10 in a perspective view from the front-left of the chair assembly 10. FIG. 2 shows the chair assembly from the front of the chair assembly 10. FIG. 3 shows the chair assembly from the top of the chair assembly 10. FIG. 4 shows the chair assembly from the bottom of the chair assembly. FIG. 5 shows the chair assembly from the left side of the chair assembly 10. FIG. 6 shows the chair assembly from the back of the chair assembly 10.

While this disclosure focuses on aspects relating to a chair assembly 10, it is contemplated that many of the features described herein can be deployed in other types of furniture, such as the following non-limiting examples: a couch, a bed, a table, a cart, a monitor assembly, a projection screen assembly, and the like.

The base assembly 12 can take the form shown in FIGS. 1-6 or any other form known to be suitable for stably supporting the rest of the chair assembly 10 while a user occupies the chair assembly 10. The exemplary base assembly 12 includes an integral base member 13 and five casters 15. The base member 13 is a five spoke base member that may be formed of metal, plastic or any other rigid material. A separate caster 15 is mounted to a distal end of each of the five base spokes. Each caster can swivel about a vertical axis as well as rotate about a horizontal axis.

Examples of other suitable base assemblies 12 include, but are not limited to, at least three radially-oriented arms having rolling members affixed thereto for engaging a surface, a single base member having a footprint that is sufficient for supporting the chair assembly 10 and having a plurality of rolling members affixed thereto for engaging a surface, an assembly with one or more rolling members for engaging a surface and a gyroscopic device for maintaining balance of the chair assembly, and the like.

The support assembly 14 can take the form shown in FIGS. 1-6 or any other form known to be suitable for stably connecting the base assembly 12 with the remainder of the chair assembly 10. The exemplary support assembly 14 includes a post member 17 and an upper support assembly 19. Post 17 extends upward from a central portion of the base member 13 and upper support assembly 19 is mounted to the top end of the post 17 for rotation about a vertical axis. In at least some embodiments post 17 may be mounted to the base member 13 so that the post can be raised and lowered to accommodate different seat height preferences by a chair user.

While not shown in detail, support assembly 19 may have many different features and subassemblies that facilitate various adjustments of chair components to accommodate different user preferences. For instance, assembly 19 may include subassemblies that allow seat 16 to be moved forward and rearward relative to post 17 or may allow the front or rear portion of the seat 19 to be raised and lowered to accommodate different preferred seat tilt angles. As another instance, assembly 19 may include a sub-assembly that enables adjustment of the force required to tilt seat 16. In some embodiments, the base assembly 12 and the support assembly 14 may be integrated into a combined base/support assembly.

The seat assembly 16 can take the form shown in FIGS. 1-6 or any other form known to be suitable for supporting the weight of a user substantially from below the user. The seat assembly 16 can be configured to ergonomically support a user's buttocks, thighs, knees, shins, ankles, or any combinations thereof. The exemplary seat assembly 16 includes, among other features, a top surface 21 having a front edge portion 23, a rear portion 45, and first and second lateral portions 41 and 43, respectively. In at least some embodiments the seat assembly 16 may include a plastic or other type rigid shell member, a foam cushion mounted to or over molded onto the shell member and a fabric, leather or other material cover member. In other embodiments the seat may include a stretched membrane fitted onto a circumferential frame. In still other embodiments the seat assembly 16 may simply included a molded plastic shell that forms a shape that compliments a user's buttocks.

The back assembly 18 can take the form shown in FIGS. 1-6 or any other form known to be suitable for supporting the weight of a user substantially from any side of the user, such as substantially from the back of the user. The back assembly 18 can be configured to ergonomically support a user's torso, head, arm, pelvis, thighs, or any combination thereof. The back assembly 18 is an optional feature and this disclosure envisions chair assemblies 10 that include no back assemblies 18.

The exemplary back assembly 18 includes, among other features, a front surface 35 that includes a central portion 27, first and second lateral portions 29 and 31 on opposite sides of the central portion and upper and lower portions 141 and 37 above and below the central portion. In at least some embodiments the back assembly 18 may include a plastic or other type rigid shell member, a foam cushion mounted to or over molded onto the shell member and a fabric, leather or other material cover member. In other embodiments the backrest assembly may include a stretched membrane fitted onto a circumferential frame. In still other embodiments the backrest assembly 18 may simply included a molded plastic shell that forms a shape that compliments a user's buttocks. In at least some embodiments the backrest assembly may also include other assemblies that allow a chair user to adjust various aspects of the backrest assembly to accommodate user preferences. For instance, in at least some cases one or more of the subassemblies may allow a user to adjust the lumbar support of the backrest assembly to raise/lower a lumbar support, to increase or decrease the lumbar support, to change the tilt of the front surface 35 of the backrest, to adjust the force required to recline the backrest, etc. Subassemblies for accomplishing these adjustments are well known in the art and therefore will not be described here in detail.

The arm assembly 20 can take the form shown in FIGS. 1-6 or any other form known to be suitable for supporting a user's arm substantially from the bottom or side of the user's arm. The arm assembly 20 can be configured to ergonomically support a user's upper arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, hand, or any combination thereof. The arm assembly 20 is an optional feature and this disclosure envisions chair assemblies 10 that include no arm assemblies 20.

The exemplary arm assembly 20 shown in FIG. 1 includes an arm support structure 51 and a forearm rest member 53 having a top surface 55 that can also be referred to as a comfort surface. Support structure 51 extends upward from upper support assembly 19 and generally angles upward and forward to an upper distal end. Forearm rest member 53 is mounted to the top distal end of support structure 51. Structure 51 includes components that can be adjusted to move the forearm support member 53 to any of several different positions. For instance, support member 53 may be moved upward or downward, forward or backward, inward (e.g., over the seat 16) or outward, may pivot about a vertical axis, etc., within supported ranges. Chair assembly 10 is manually moveable across a smooth, flat floor surface by applying a lateral force.

Referring now to FIG. 7, in addition to the components described above, at least some embodiments of chair assembly 10 also include a processor 58, a power supply 22, and one or more of a sensing module or sensor 61, 63, 65 and/or one or more application modules or actuators 73, 75 and 77. Hereinafter, the phrase “feature module” will be used to refer to either of a sensor or an application module.

Processor 58 includes circuitry for performing various functions required to support whatever features chair 10 includes. For instance, processor 58 may include a memory device that stores software that can be used to perform various functions such as obtaining sensed data from a sensor, processing the obtained data and generating some type of output. For instance, the output may include transmission of the data or some conclusion derived there from to server or the like via an access point within the vicinity of chair 10. As another instance, processor 58 may be programmed to control one or more motors (e.g., an application module) to change the relative juxtapositions of chair 10 components either under control from a chair user or automatically based on some sensed circumstance. It is contemplated that processor 58 may be programmed to perform many other processes, some of which are described hereinafter.

In addition to including circuitry and a memory for storing programs, processor 58 may include a memory for storing at least some sensed data from one or more sensors included in the chair 10.

Power supply 22 may be any type of power supply in at least some embodiments. For instance, supply 22 may include a transformer linked to a cord that can be plugged into a powered receptacle to power processor 58, sensors and other modules. As another instance, supply 22 may include a battery that can be periodically replaced. As yet another instance, supply 22 may include a rechargeable battery pack that can be removed and replaced, where the removed battery pack can be recharged as the replacement battery pack is being used. In still other embodiments, supply 22 may include a rechargeable battery that can be recharged periodically. Where supply 22 is rechargeable or needs to be connected to a receptacle, a power connector 60 is provided that is linked to supply 22.

Referring again to FIG. 1, rechargeable power supply 22 is shown mounted at various positions on chair assembly 10. For example, the rechargeable power supply 22 can be located in or affixed to the base assembly 12, the support assembly 14, the seat assembly 16, the back assembly 18, the arm assembly 20, or any combination thereof. It should be appreciated that the rechargeable power supply 22 can occupy any location within the chair assembly 10, so long as the rechargeable power supply 22 can be sufficiently supported by the chair assembly 10 and can be operably coupled to aspects of the chair assembly 10 that relate to charging and usage of power. Supply 22 can include two or more power supply units, which can be located adjacent to one another or remote from one another. Supply 22 can be configured to transmit a power level signal to the processor, which indicates the power level of the rechargeable power supply.

Sensors 61, 63, 65, etc., may take any of several different forms and at least some exemplary sensor types are described hereinafter. In general, a sensor may be for sensing any of several different types of parameters including user input parameters (e.g., parameters input by a chair user to adjust the chair or to indicate a user's condition), biometric or physiological parameters (e.g., temperature, heart rate, blood flow, respiratory rate, etc.), behavioral parameters (e.g., a chair user's position, rate of movement, etc.), chair arrangement parameters (e.g., tilt of backrest, height of seat, position of forearm support member, etc.) or chair juxtaposition parameters (e.g., location of chair 10 within an ambient space or relative to some affordance (e.g., a charging station) within the ambient space).

Application modules 73, 75, 77 include subassemblies or systems that perform some activity such as chair component adjustment, heating or cooling adjustment, control of haptic activities, providing feedback to a chair user, automatic movement of the chair to different locations within an ambient space (e.g., for alignment with a recharging station), automatic adjustment of chair orientation, controlling hardware required for recharging in some cases, etc.

Processor 58 can be located in or affixed to base assembly 12, support assembly 14, seat assembly 16, backrest assembly 18, or an arm assembly 20. The chair-assembly-based processor can occupy substantially the same locations as the feature modules (e.g., sensors and application modules) described below in at least some embodiments.

In at least some embodiments at least some of the processes and methods described herein may be performed by one or more processors that reside external to chair 10 or by the chair processor in conjunction with one of the external processors. For example, see user-based processor 52 and facility-based processor 54 in FIG. 7. User-based processor 52 includes a processor that is located on, within, or near (e.g., carried by) a user. For example, a person using chair 10 may also use a portable computing device like a smartphone, a pad type computing device, a laptop computer, a wrist or otherwise wearable computing device such as smart jewelry, smart clothing, smart footwear, smart handwear, smart eyewear, ear technology with an on-board processor, such as a hearing aid or smart contact lenses; or in an implantable device, such as an implantable computing device. Here, processor 52 may receive signals from the chair based processor 58 via a wireless transceiver 67 (e.g., transmitted-receiver) in chair 10 and a mobile device transceiver 87. Thus, in some cases, processor 58 may obtain sensed data from sensors 61, 63, etc., and provide the raw data to processor 52 which would process the information and determine what to do with the results. In some cases the results may cause processor 52 to transmit control signals back to chair 58 to perform some function.

Referring still to FIG. 7, facility based processor 54 includes one or more processors that are associated with the facility in which chair resides and may include, for instance, a processor that forms part of a facility server, a desktop or other stationary computer within the room in which chair 10 is located, etc. In some cases processor 54 may be remotely located in a different facility (e.g., an enterprise server in a headquarters building in a remote city). Processor 54 may be linked to one or more access points 69 in a facility for wirelessly communicating with transceiver 67.

In some cases there may be sensors and application modules that are located outside chair 10 and that are linked or at least linkable to one of the user-based processor 52 or the facility-based processor 54. To this end, see again FIG. 7 that shows portable device sensors 89 and application modules 91 linked to processor 52 and sensors 93 and application modules 95 linked to the facility-based processor 54. Here, for instance, a biometric sensor located in a wrist mounted computer may sense one or more physiological parameters of a wearer and may transmit that data to chair processor 58 to be processed. In the alternative, the wrist based processor 52 may process the physiological parameter and transmit a control signal based thereon to the chair processor 58 to perform some function. As another instance, where a smartphone includes processor 52, data sensed by chair processor 67 may be used to drive a vibrator or the like (e.g., an application module 91) in the phone to provide some signal to a chair user (e.g., to signal that the user should change position if the user has been too stagnant in one application).

Similarly, facility-base processor 54 may receive signals from sensors 93 or from processor 58 and perform various functions to control application modules 95 or to send command signals back to processor 58 to perform some function to control one or more application modules 73, 75, 77, etc. For instance, one of sensors 93 may include a camera (see 100 or 102 in FIG. 8 or 516 in FIG. 31) that senses when no one is in a space associated with chair 10. When no one is in the space associated with chair 10, processor 54 may perform some function to start a battery recharging process. As another instance, when any of the system processors recognizes, based on sensed data, that a person sitting in chair 10 is becoming drowsy, facility-based processor 54 may control lighting in the space that includes chair 10 to increase intensity to help the person wake up. Many other processes associated with application modules are contemplated, many of which are described hereafter.

The chair-assembly-based processor 58, the user-based processor 52, and the facility-based processor 54 can communicate signals to one another to achieve any of the various sensing, application, operations, or functions described herein.

In at least some embodiments chair assembly 10 may contain one or more features that are inactive until activated by an application run on a device containing a user-based processor. For example, chair assembly 10 may contain a heating function or other function that is inactive until a user activates the heating function or other function from an application run on the portable device that includes processor 52.

Chair Assembly Power

In at least some embodiments the amount of power required to operate chair components may be relatively small. For instance, where a chair 10 only includes one or a small number of sensing devices and a transceiver to transmit sensed data to an off-chair processor and no actuators (e.g., application modules), the power required by the chair features may be relatively small. In other cases the amount of power required to support chair features may be relatively large. For instance, where a chair 10 includes a large number of sensors and/or one or more actuators such as motors, vibrators, heaters, cooling mechanisms, etc. the required power may be substantial. The type of power source 22 selected for a chair will be related to the amount of power required by the chair. For instance, where minimal power is required, a relatively small solar cell may be provided on a chair surface that can collect energy from an ambient light source to drive components. To this end, see exemplary solar cell 200 shown on a rear surface of the backrest assembly 18 in FIG. 6. Cell 200 may provide power directly to feature modules or may be linked to a rechargeable battery type power source 22 to store power which is then fed to processor 58, features modules and other devices (e.g., the transceiver 67) when required.

Where a more substantial amount of power is required, several power options are available, some of which are more advantageous than others. For instance, see exemplary power cord assembly 202 in FIG. 5. Assembly 202 includes a spring loaded retractor mechanism 204 and a cord 206. Cord 206 has a proximal end 208 linked to chair support assembly 14 and a distal end 210 where an intermediate portion between ends 208 and 210 passes through retractor mechanism 204 to be wound thereby. Here, distal end 210 can be pulled from mechanism 204 and plugged into a powered receptacle (not illustrated), for example in a wall or in another device. In this case, power source 22 may include a power transformer and cord 206 may have to be plugged into a receptacle at any time that power is required by chair components. When power is not required, mechanism 204 may be used to aid in winding cord 206 into a housing structure for storage.

In other embodiments power source 22 may include a battery or some other type of replaceable fuel cell. Here, one advantage is that chair 10 can be used without requiring a cord 206 which often times can get in the way of a chair user. For instance, in many cases a chair user will rotate seat 16 several times during a day during normal use which can cause cord 206 to wrap around the chair base. One problem with batteries or other power sources that need to be periodically replaced is that they place a maintenance burden on a chair user or some other personnel.

In particularly advantageous embodiments it is contemplated that rechargeable batteries or fuel cells may be provided as power source 22. Examples of rechargeable batteries include, but are not limited to, a lithium-ion battery, a lithium-ion polymer battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a sealed lead acid battery, an alkaline battery, a nickel-hydrogen battery, a nickel-zinc battery, a lithium-air battery, a lithium cobalt oxide battery, a lithium sulfur battery, a lithium-titanate battery, a sodium-ion battery, a potassium-ion battery, a zinc bromide battery, a zinc cerium battery, a vanadium redox battery, a quantum battery, combinations thereof, and the like. The rechargeable battery can be in the form of a thin film battery, a smart battery, a nanowire battery, etc.

The present disclosure contemplates several different ways to recharge a battery, some requiring at least some manual steps by a chair user and others that are fully automated. For instance, referring again to FIG. 5, in a simple recharging case, the proximal end 208 of power cord 206 may be linked to a rechargeable battery 22. Here, when a chair user knows that she will be leaving her office for an extended period of time, she can simply pull distal cord end 210 from the retractor mechanism housing and plug the cord into a power receptacle. When the user returns, the user can unplug the cord and restore the cord in the storage housing to avoid entangling cord 206 with the chair base.

In other cases recharging power may be delivered to rechargeable battery 22 in ways that do not require a cord yet still require some simple user activity. For example, referring again to FIG. 7, in at least some cases it is contemplated that power connectors 66 may be built into the chair 10 for making a direct connection to recharging electrodes provided in some type of recharging subassembly that is separate from the chair 10. In this regard, see FIG. 8 that shows a chair assembly 10 in a private office 30 on a chair mat 28 adjacent a workstation table or desk 32. Here, a recharging station assembly 210 is provided that abuts an office wall adjacent an edge of mat 28. Referring also to FIG. 10, station assembly 210 has a low profile so that it lies low along a portion of the wall adjacent a floor surface and has a length dimension that is longer than a dimension defined by the distal ends of two of the chair base assembly spoke members 212 and 214. Referring also to FIG. 9, station assembly 210 includes a plate member 218 and a housing structure 220 that extend upward therefrom to form a sideways opening channel or cavity 222 that opens away from an adjacent office wall member and toward the mat 28 edge. Here, the channel 222 is designed to have an upper arm section which resides generally above a distal end of the spoke members 212 and 214 when those distal ends are places within the channel 222. Positive and negative electrodes 224 and 226 (shown in phantom in FIG. 10) are located on an undersurface of the upper arm section at spaced apart locations (e.g., at opposite ends of the length dimension of station 210). Lateral walls 228 and 230 (shown in phantom in FIG. 10) are provided at opposite ends of station 210 which limit the position in which the distal ends of spokes 212 and 214 can be placed and still be located within the channel 222.

Referring still to FIGS. 9 and 10, electrode pads 232 and 234 (see phantom in FIG. 10) are provided on the top surface portions of spokes 212 and 214 at their distal ends. As shown in FIG. 9, top surfaces of spokes 212 and 214 angle slightly downward when approaching the distal ends so that the pads 232 and 234 have a slight downward tilt.

Referring still to FIGS. 8 through 10, to place chair 10 in a charging position, a user aligns the distal ends of spokes 212 and 214 with channel 222 and moves the chair 10 toward station 210 until electrode pads 232 and 234 contact electrodes 24 and 226. Once the electrode pads contact the electrodes, charging can commence.

Referring again to FIG. 10, wall members 228 and 230 can restrict the position in which the distal spoke ends are located and electrodes 224 and 226 may be designed so that when the spoke ends are received in channel 222, the pads 232 and 234 will always make connection with electrodes 224 and 226. In at least some cases internal surfaces of the wall members 228 and 230 may angle toward each other when moving into channel 222 to help a user guide the spokes into the channel 222. Thus, a user need not hunt for where to place the spoke ends to link to the electrodes in the channel 222.

While only two spokes are shown in FIG. 10 as including electrode pads 232 and 234, in at least some embodiments it is contemplates that an electrode pad may be provided on the top surface of each of the five base spokes proximate distal ends. Here, a user could simply place any two spokes within channel 222 to start charging. In this case, chair processor 58 would be programmed to recognize which two spokes are in the channel 222 and would use those two spokes for charging purposes. Here, a mechanism in either chair 10 or in the charging station 210 would be programmed to make a polarity switch so that positive and negative pads and electrodes are properly aligned. For instance, in FIG. 10, electrode pad 232 may be positive or negative and pad 234 may be positive or negative, based on which charging electrode 224 or 26 the pad is aligned with.

In at least some embodiments it is contemplated that charging will start automatically once the electrode pads make contact with the electrodes 224 and 226 and that charging will continue until battery 22 is fully charged or a user pulls the chair back from station 210 for use. In some cases there will be a mechanism for cutting off power to electrodes 224 and 226 when chair 10 is not in the charging position. For instance, a system processor may monitor for chair position via electrodes 224 and 226 or via some other sensors and may cut power when the chair is not in the proper charging position. Similarly, it is contemplated that a mechanism within the chair will effectively disconnect pads 232 and 234 from the power source 22 until chair 10 is properly placed in a charging position at station 210. For instance, a switch may be provided within the chair assembly 10 that is controlled by chair processor 58 to open until the recharging position occurs. Here, once a system processor recognizes that pads 232 and 234 make contact with electrodes 224 and 226, the system server may send a signal to processor 58 to close the switch and commence the charging process.

In at least some embodiments a charging indicator of some type may be provided. For instance, see again FIG. 9 where an indicator 261 includes a red LED 263 and a green LED 265 mounted to an upper portion of structure 220. Here, when charging is not occurring, red LED 263 may be illuminated and when charging is taking place, green LED 265 may be illuminated.

One advantage to the recharging station 210 described above is that the form of the chair assembly 10 can be substantially similar to conventional chair assemblies and need not include moveable components specially designed to facilitate the charging process. Thus, pads 232 and 234 can be robust and rigid with respect to their supporting structures. The tilted angles of the spokes 212 and 214 facilitate connection to electrodes via a sort of wedging action.

In at least some embodiments it is contemplated that a charging station may include additional features to help ensure a good electrical contact between electrodes and pads. For example, see again FIG. 9 where a spring 250 is shown schematically linked to electrode 224 which may apply a slight downward force to electrode 224 to help maintain contact with pad 232. As another example, in FIGS. 9 and 10, a rib 252 extends up from a top surface of plate member 218 adjacent a front edge of the plate 218 which is positioned to bear against an edge of the casters 15 when distal ends of spokes 212 and 214 are places within channel 222 to hold pads 232 and 234 against electrodes 224 and 226 until the chair is affirmatively removed from the charging station 210.

Referring yet again to FIG. 9, in some embodiments a magnet 238 may be provided in channel 222 to face some surface of the spokes 212 and 214 at their distal ends and each spoke may have a metallic plate 230 at its distal end that is adjacent the magnet 238 upon insertion of the spokes 212 and 214 into channel 222 so that the magnet 238 can releasably hold the spokes in the charging position.

Other types of direct electrode charging stations are contemplated. For instance, see FIGS. 11 and 12 where a table top member 270 is shown along with a portion of a chair assembly 10. Here, spring loaded electrode pads 272 and 274 are located on an undersurface 275 of the top member 270 at spaced apart locations generally proximate a front edge of member 270. Referring also to FIG. 3, electrode pads 280 are provided on top surfaces of arm rest members 53. In this case, to charge a chair battery, a user would first adjust chair arm members to a highest position via the arm assemblies and perhaps by raising the chair support structure 14 (see again FIG. 1) and would then push the chair into a location with the arm members below electrodes 272 and 274. Again, some table structure (e.g., legs or other guide members) may be provided to help the user align the arm members and associated electrode pads with the spring loaded electrodes.

In at least some cases the spring loaded electrodes would be spaced rearward from the front edge of member 270 so that when the support members 53 are aligned under the spring loaded electrodes, the front surface of the backrest member 18 is immediately adjacent the front edge of the table top member 270 so that no user could be located within chair 10. Thus, once members 53 are aligned with electrode pads 272 and 274, charging could commence.

The spring loaded pads 272 and 274 would be located at a height below the top surfaces of members 53 and, in an least some embodiments, would be angled to face the direction in which members 53 move when chair 10 is moved toward the front edge of member 270 so that the contact surfaces would contact members 53 and raise against the spring force to accommodate members 53 there under. The pads 272 and 274 may have a convex external shape so that they can make better point contact with pads 280 in the arm members 53.

In still other embodiments charging electrodes or pads may be provided on one or more surfaces of other affordances within a space that includes a chair 10 where some portion of the chair may be moved into contact with the electrodes or pads to form a connection suitable for charging purposes. For example, electrodes may be provided on an upper rear edge portion of the backrest member 18 as at 290 in FIG. 5 for connection to a wall mounted charging station 300 (see again FIG. 8). In this case, the wall mounted charging station 300 may include vertically elongated and spaced apart first and second electrodes 302 and 304 so that the chair electrode pads at 290 are aligned with the pads 302 and 304 regardless of the height of the chair backrest 18 when the chair is moved into a charging position. Here again, some mechanism to hold the chair in the charging position may be provided such as a releasable magnetic locking subassembly (see again 260 in FIG. 9) a rib in a mat to capture an edge of the casters 15, a spring loaded mechanism to capture a rear frame section of the backrest assembly 18, etc.

Desirable features in the embodiments described above with respect to FIGS. 8 through 13 are a charging station that includes electrodes that are positioned and dimensioned to make contact with chair based electrodes or pads upon movement of the chair 10 in to a charging position, some type of guidance mechanism to help a user move the chair into a charging position where chair electrodes and charging electrodes are aligned and make contact and some type of retaining mechanism that retains the chair in the charging position until purposefully removed by the chair user. In each case described above, a charging indicator akin to the indicator 261 described above with respect to FIG. 9 may be provided at a location that is within the field of view 518 of a chair user.

In still other embodiments, it is contemplated that when a chair 10 is moved to a charging position with electrode pads adjacent charging electrodes, there may some mechanism for automatically moving the charging electrodes toward the chair mounted pads. To this end, see FIG. 13 where a motor is provided at 310 instead of the spring loading mechanism shown in FIG. 12. Here, the motor 310 may be controlled to move charging pads 272 and 274 up and down to engage the arm rest electrode pads 280 in the chair assembly 10. In this case, the chair user may not be required to move members 53 into a highest position to engage the charging electrodes 272 and 274. Instead, when the chair 10 is placed under the table top member 270, a sensor 312 (e.g., a proximity sensor, a camera within the office occupied by the chair, etc.) may sense the location of the chair and cause a system processor to control the motor 310 to move the pads 272 and 274 down into engagement with the electrode pads 280.

In at least some embodiments it is contemplated that at least one of a charging station and a chair assembly 10 may be equipped with a motive mechanism for moving the assembly to join the charging station and the chair assembly 10. For instance, referring again to FIG. 1, in at least some embodiments, first and second motors 320 and 322 may be provided as part of adjacent casters 15 for moving a chair assembly 10 about within an office space. In FIG. 1 the motors are shown extending from the casters for illustration purposes only and in an actual configuration the motors may be wholly located within a caster structure. Here, the motors would be for moving the chair when there is no one in the chair and therefore the motors would not have to be extremely powerful.

By controlling the motors 320 and 322, the chair processor 58 (see again FIG. 7) could move the chair assembly 10 and reorient the base 12 to any orientation within a room and therefore to align the base spokes (see 212 and 214 in FIG. 10) with a charging station 210. Thus, for instance, by maintaining one of the motorized casters in a stationary position and rotating the other motorized caster, the base could be turned in a controlled fashion. By powering each of the motorized casters in the same direction the chair could be moved along a relatively straight trajectory within a space. In at least some embodiments where a chair includes motorized casters on two base spokes, Electrode pads (e.g., 232 in FIG. 9) may only be provided on two of the spokes as opposed to all five and the chair processor 58 would be programmed to move the chair around until the two pads 232 and 234 make contact with charging station electrodes.

In other embodiments it may be advantageous to provide the first and second motorized casters on base spokes that are separated by a spoke that includes a non-motorized caster. In still other cases a single motorized caster may be able to operate to move a chair 10 into a charging position. Referring still to FIG. 1, in yet other embodiments a single post 350 may extend down from a central portion of the base member 12 and a dual action caster 352 may be provided on the lower end of the post 350 with a single motor 354 linked to the dual action caster 352. Here, the phrase “dual action” means that the caster includes first and second wheel section spaced apart along a horizontal axis that can rotate in either the same direction or in opposite directions to move the chair 10 along a trajectory or to rotate the base about an axis through the center of the vertical post 350. Thus, caster 352 may be controlled to rotate the chair base and also move the chair 10 and therefore could be used to move the chair to any clear location within an office space (e.g., to a charging location).

After charging is complete, the chair processor 58 may be programmed to control the motors 320 and 322 to move the chair into a welcoming position within an office. Thus, for instance, referring again to FIG. 8, a chair 10 may be moved away from a charging station and back to a location that faces an egress into the space 30 to welcome a user to sit down in the chair upon entry into space 30.

In yet another embodiment, a robot type charging assembly may move to a charging location relative to a chair assembly 10. To this end, see FIG. 14 that shows a robot type or mobile charging assembly 370 akin to the station described above with respect to FIG. 9. The difference in FIG. 14 is that assembly 370 includes powered wheels 372 and casters 374 that can be used to move station 370 about within an office space to assume a charging position with respect to a chair assembly base 12 that includes spoke electrode pads 232 and 234. Although only one powered wheel is shown in FIG. 14, an assembly 370 could have two spaced apart and independently controlled powered wheels 370 so that the assembly could rotate about one stationary wheel by powering the other.

In some cases the robot recharging assembly 370 may be tethered (e.g. connected by a cord) to a wall or other power receptacle. In other cases the recharging assembly 370 may be wireless and be able to move about more freely. In this case, it is contemplated that a stationary robot charging station would be provided for the robot and the robot itself would include a rechargeable battery or other type of power source. Here, the charging station for the robot may include an electrode configuration similar to the electrode configuration on the chair base spokes so that the electrode set on the robot could perform double duty (e.g., to charge the robot power source from the robot charging station and then to charge the chair power source). In this regard, see FIG. 15 that shows a robot recharging station 380 that includes electrode pads 382 and a form that can link the pads 382 to the electrodes on the recharging robot 370. Once the robot battery is charged, the robot can leave charging station 380 and move to the chair base spokes as shown in phantom

In some cases a robot power assembly may be located in each office and associated with a specific chair 10 so that the control process can be relatively simple. In other cases it is contemplated that there may be one or a small number of robot recharging stations located on a floor of an office building travel and recharging robots may roam around the floor recharging any chair battery that is not fully charged or at least at a threshold charge level. In some cases, where a battery provides charge level data to a chair processor 58, the chair processor 58 may transmit a charge request to a facility server 54 and cause that server to control one of the roaming robots to start a recharging process. Thus, for instance, a subset of recharging robots may be located at recharging stations while other robots are out recharging chairs.

In cases where a robot or a chair including motorized casters or other motive means are provided, the chair processor or a robot processor would track the amount of charge on its rechargeable battery and would conserve enough energy to move the associated assembly to a recharging station prior to complete discharge in at least some embodiments. Thus, for instance, in the case of a chair that consumes power, processor 58 would shut down functions and features that use power when a threshold charge on the chair battery is reached. The next time conditions exist for recharging (e.g., a user leaves an office), the chair processor 58 would move the chair to the recharging position and commence charging.

In some embodiments it is contemplated that a chair mat may operate as a chair charging station. In this regard, see FIG. 16 that shows a charging mat 28 in top plan view. Mat 28 is divided into twelve different charging zones 38 where adjacent charging zones have different polarities. For instance, in FIG. 16, cross hatched zones may have a positive polarity and non-cross hatched zones may have a negative polarity when powered. Here, whenever an electrode or electrical probe on a chair assembly 10 contacts one of the zones 38, an electrical connection between a charging source and the chair probe may be formed. In this regard, see also FIG. 17 where a chair base 12 is shown resting on a charging mat. In the illustrated example, in addition to the components described above, base assembly 12 includes five charging probes 390. Here, each charging probe is similarly constructed and operates in a similar fashion and therefore only one of the probes 390 will be described in any detail. An exemplary probe includes a probe housing 394 that is mounted to an undersurface of one of the base spokes proximate a caster 15 that is at the distal end of the spoke. The housing includes a downward opening and an electrical probe type electrode 392a is mounted in the opening. In the illustrated embodiment, the probe 392a is mounted for movement along a vertical axis so that the lower distal end of the probe 392a can be raised and lowered to separate from the mat 28 there below and to make contact with the mat, respectively. Probe 390 includes a motor 396 that can raise and lower the probe 392a like a piston.

Referring still to FIGS. 16 and 17, the pattern of positive and negative charging zones 38 is designed based on the spacings between the probe assemblies 390. To this end, the pattern of zones 38 are designed so that at least two of the probe assemblies 390 reside above different polarity (e.g., positive and negative) zones at any time that the chair assembly 10 is located on the mat 28. In this regard, see that the chair base 12 is represented in phantom in four different locations with respect to the mat zones 38 and that in each case, even when the chair 10 is only partially on top of the mat 28, at least two of the probe assemblies reside above different polarity mat sections.

In the FIGS. 16 and 17 embodiment, it is contemplated that a switching mechanism within chair assembly 10 may be controlled to change the charging polarity of each of the probes 390 so that, regardless of which zone 38 a probe is over, the probe may be connected to the zone and commence charging when desired. Thus, for instance, in FIG. 16 two probes 392c and 392d are shown aligned with positive and negative zones 38, respectively. In this case the switching mechanism would be controlled to make probe 392c positive and probe 392d negative. If the chair assembly 10 were moved to the location associated with probes 392c′ and 392d′ so that those probes were aligned with negative and positive zones, respectively, the switching mechanism would be changed to make probe 392c′ and probe 392d′ negative and positive, respectively.

As described above in at least some cases the probes are controlled to extend to make an electrical contact during charging and may be retracted to break that contact when not charging. In this regard, see for instance probes 392a in FIG. 17 that are shown extended and probes 392b that are shown retracted. In some cases only two of the probes may be extended at any time. Here, for instance, where the position of the probes is known due to a sensor in the chair or in the space that includes the chair, if first and second probes are known to be located over positive and negative zones, respectively, only the first and second probes may be extended to make a charging contact with the mat 28.

In some cases a chair assembly 10 may only include two extending probes that are arranged to always align with different polarity zones when the chair 10 is on the mat 28. In other cases where there are five probes, even if all five probes are extended during a recharging cycle, the chair processor 58 may only use two of the probes during recharging.

In some cases the mat 28 may have much smaller zones so that different polarity probes may be spaced much closer to each other and still result in probe alignment with different polarity zones. For instance, see FIG. 18 where a mat 28 includes smaller adjacent different polarity zones and where the probe structure includes a single probe assembly 400 that includes a housing 402 mounted to the undersurface of one of the base spokes, a motor 404 for extending and retracting probe electrodes and two electrodes 392e and 392f. Here the probe electrodes are much closer and therefore can be drive by a single small motor 404 to extend and retract when appropriate.

Referring yet again to FIG. 18, in at least some embodiments, instead of including a motor 404, the probe assembly 400 may simply include spring loaded probes 392e and 392f where springs in the probe assemblies push the probe electrodes out to that distal ends thereof engage the upper surface of the mat 28 there below at all times. Here, the spring force would be minimal and the distal ends of the probes would be rounded so that friction between the top surface of the mat 28 and the probe would be minimal.

In still other embodiments other motorized and extendable probes may be mounted to other chair assembly components. For instance, probes may be extendable along a vertical axis upward from one or both of the arm rest members 53 (see again FIG. 1 to make contact with pads on the undersurface of a table top or the like (e.g., see again FIG. 11). Alternatively, probes may be mounted to seat 16 and extend rearward to laterally there from to contact charging pads or the like on a wall or other upright structure.

In still other embodiments power may be provided to a chair assembly 10 to recharge a battery via a wireless and contactless power delivery system. For instance, supply 22 may be recharged by way of near-field or non-radiative techniques including inductive charging from a power source, resonant inductive charging from a power source, capacitive coupling charging from a power source, magnetodynamic coupling charging from a power source, and the like, or radiative techniques, including optical charging from a power source, microwave charging from a power source, etc. When employing recharging by way of a direct connection to a power source, the wired connection can be established manually by a user or automatically by one of the systems described herein.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 19, a wireless charging receiver 24 can be located at various positions within, on, or affixed to chair assembly 10. When employing wireless recharging, the wireless charging receiver 24 and a wireless charging transmitter located remote from the chair assembly 10 can be positioned relative to one another manually by a user or automatically by one of the systems or methods described herein. The wireless charging transmitter can be located on the underside of a desk, in a functional surface (e.g., within a mat 28) on which the chair assembly 10 sits, affixed to a wall, or in any other location suitable for providing wireless charging to the chair assembly 10.

In some embodiments, the wireless charging receiver 24 can be an inductive charging receiver. In other embodiments the wireless charging receiver can be a resonant inductive charging receiver. In still other embodiments, the wireless charging receiver 24 can be a radiative charging receiver. In any case, the charging receiver can be located in or affixed to an arm assembly 20, including the top, front, side, or bottom of the arm assembly 20 (see FIG. 19), in or affixed to a seat assembly 16, including the top, front, side, or bottom of the seat assembly 16; in or affixed to a back assembly, including the front, top, side, or back of the back assembly 18; in or affixed to the base assembly 12, including the bottom, top, front, back, or side of the base assembly 12 (see FIG. 4). In certain embodiments, the wireless charging receiver 24 can be located beneath at least a portion of the base assembly 12 and in a position where a user's feet may not contact the wireless charging receiver 12. In this arrangement, it is contemplated that the wireless charging receiver 24 can be configured to move in a coordinated fashion with the seat assembly 16, so that as a user rotates the seat assembly 16, the wireless charging receiver 24 rotates so that its positioning relative to the user's feet remains substantially the same.

In a recharging position, the distance between the wireless charging receiver 24 and the wireless charging transmitter can be any distance over which a charge suitable for recharging the rechargeable power supply 22 is capable of being transmitted. For certain applications, the distance between the wireless charging receiver 24 and the wireless charging transmitter can be at least ⅛ inch, at least ¼ inch, at least ½ inch, at least 1 inch, at least 2 inches, at least 3 inches, at least 6 inches, at least 9 inches, at least 1 foot, at least 1.5 feet, at least 2 feet, at least 3 feet, or at least 5 feet. For certain applications, the distance between the wireless charging receiver 24 and the wireless charging transmitter can be at most 12 feet, at most 10 feet, at most 8 feet, at most 6 feet, at most 5 feet, at most 4 feet, at most 3 feet, at most 2.5 feet, at most 2 feet, at most 1.5 feet, at most 1 foot, at most 10 inches, at most 8 inches, at most 6 inches, at most 4 inches, at most 2 inches, at most 1 inch, or at most ½ inch.

In a recharging position, the center of the wireless charging receiver 24 and the wireless charging transmitter can be aligned with one another or can have an offset. As one of skill in the art will appreciate, the efficiency of the wireless charging may be impacted by the alignment of the wireless charging receiver 24 and the wireless charging transmitter.

In many of the embodiments contemplated by this disclosure, for various reasons, a chair user may not want to have the rechargeable battery in their chair assembly 10 charging while they are seated in the chair, generally within the space associated with the chair or even in the same room as the chair. In these cases, in at least some embodiments, a chair sensor or some type of room sensor may sense when occupancy within a space (e.g., the seat, the surrounding area or the room containing the chair) around the chair and may only commence a charging cycle when no one is in the space. For instance, if the space is the chair itself, a presence or weight sensor on the chair itself may generate data useable by the chair processor to determine if a person in seated in the chair. As another instance, a room camera 100 (see again FIG. 8) or a camera 102 associated with a computer display 413 in a room that includes the chair may generate images that can be examined by a facility processor 54 to ascertain if anyone is in the space proximate the chair or even within the room 30 associated with the chair 10. Here, when no one is in the space, the facility processor 54 may transmit a vacant signal to the chair processor 58 causing the chair processor to commence a recharging process. For instance, in the case of an automated charging process like the one described above with respect to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, processor 58 may control the caster motors (e.g., 320) to move the chair over to charging station 210 and commence charging. Here, if a person enters the space while a charging cycle is occurring, the charging process may be halted and processor 58 may control the caster motors to move the chair 10 back into a welcoming position.

Again, here, when charging is occurring, some visual indication may be provided such as illuminating an LED (see again 263 and 265 in FIG. 9) and when charging ceases a different LED or visual indicator may be illuminated to signal to the user whether the system is charging. Other charging and non-charging indicators are contemplated. For instance, in some cases, a speaker 415 (see FIG. 6) may be provided in a surface of the chair that can announce the charging status. For example, when charging commences, the speak may annunciate “Battery is charging” and when charging ceases the speaker may annunciate “Charging has stopped”. In certain cases, the speaker may also notify the user that the “Chair requires charging” at some point in the future.

In some cases charging may only commence after processor 58 or some other system processor recognizes that no one has been in the space associated with the chair for at least some threshold period of time (e.g., 15 minutes) or until a user associated with the chair has left some larger space such as a facility which would indicate that the user is likely away for an extended period of time. In still other cases the processor 58 may only commence recharging when no one is in the space associated with the chair during some specific time of day. For instance, recharging may only occur at night and on weekends when no one is in a chair associated space.

In some embodiments, at least one of the facility based sensors 93 (see again FIG. 7) or the portable device sensors 89 may be able to determine the location of a specific person associated with a chair or office in space. For instance, a wrist mounted portable user device may receive signals from a plurality of access points 69 within a facility and may be able to triangulate its location based on signal strength or some type of statistical analysis. The device and, hence, the device user's location may be transmitted to the facility based processor 54 for further processing. Here, in at least some cases where a chair charges when no one is in the space associated with the chair, when the person associated with the chair or office comes within some vicinity of the chair or office (e.g., arrives on a floor of a building that includes the chair after having been away), the system may cause the chair to interrupt the charging process and move into a welcoming position automatically. Thus, for instance, when a chair user rises from a chair 10 and leaves her office, after a threshold period in which the user is outside the office, the chair may be controlled to move to a charging station in the office and commence a charging function. If the user leaves the building in which the chair is located, the charging function may continue. If, then, the user reenters the floor of the building that the chair is on prior to the end of the recharging process, the recharging process may be interrupted and the chair may assume the welcoming position.

In still other embodiments, the rechargeable battery may be recharged by a mechanical motion associated with chair components that move as a chair user moves the chair components. The mechanical motion can be a motion that is intended for a purpose other than recharging, but can incidentally also be used to provide some recharging power, such as a wheel connected to a power generator that provides electric power when a user moves the chair assembly 10 or a power generator that converts some of the force from a user sitting down in the chair assembly 10 into electric power.

In the embodiments described above as including chair components that make direct electrical connection to recharging probes or electrodes, in at least some embodiments the direct connections may be replaced by wireless power transfer components such as inductive coupling antenna or the like. For instance, in FIGS. 9 and 10, the electrodes and pads 224 and 226 and 232 and 234 may be replaced by inductive coupling antenna. Here, as larger antenna usually results in faster transfer of power, the coupling arrangements may be relatively large.

In the embodiments described above as including chair components that employ recharging by way of wired or wireless power by way of an arm assembly 20, it is contemplated that a single arm assembly can house the necessary components. In the embodiments described above as including chair components that employ recharging by way of a direct connection with an arm assembly 20, it is contemplated that an electrode 280 can be placed some distance beneath a comfort surface of the arm assembly 20. In one aspect, the comfort surface can be compressed by the motion of a pad 272 and 274 which can establish a direct electric connection once the comfort surface has been sufficiently compressed. In another aspect, the comfort surface can have holes or grooves that allow an extension electrode coupled to the pad 272 and 274 to penetrate past the comfort surface and make contact with the electrode 280.

In the embodiments described above as including chair components that employ recharging by way of a direct connection with a seat assembly 16, a back assembly 18, or an arm assembly 20, it is contemplated that the charging can occur via a comfort surface of the seat assembly 16, the back assembly 18, or the arm assembly 20, where the comfort surface comprises a material that can suitably receive an electric charge for the purposes of recharging the rechargeable power supply 22. Examples of such a material include, but are not limited to, a smart fabric, electrically conductive polymers, and the like.

In the embodiments described above as including chair components that employ recharging by way of a direct connection, it is contemplated that the electrodes for receiving the recharging can be located on a portion of the chair assembly 10 that is not contacted by a user during normal use.

Referring to FIGS. 7, 17 and 20, this disclosure provides a method 600 of recharging a chair assembly 10 comprising a rechargeable power supply 22 and a set of moveable electrode probes 292a that are used with a power delivery mat 28. At decision block 602, one or more of the system processors (see again FIG. 7) receiving data from one or more sensors associated with a chair 10 or the space associated with the chair 10 determine if a user is located in or near the chair assembly 10. For instance, images from a camera 100 (see also FIG. 8) may be used to determine if anyone is in the office including the chair 10. If the answer at decision block 602 is YES, then control loops back through decision block 602. If the answer at decision block 602 is NO, control passes to process block 604. At process block 604, chair processor 58 controls the probe motors to move two or more charging probes 392a located above two or more charging zones 38 into a charging position. At process block 606, processor 58 determines the polarity of the two or more charging zones. At process block 608, if the polarity of each probe that contacts one of the charging zones is the same as the polarity of the charging zone, control passes to block 610. If, however, at block 608 the polarity of the probes that contact the charging zones is not the same as the polarity of the charging zones, the polarity of the charging zones or the polarity of the probes 392a must be changed to match the polarities. For instance, the probe polarities can be changed using a simple switching mechanism within the chair assembly 10 itself. As another instance, a facility processor 54 may control a switching mechanism within the mat 28 to change the polarity.

Continuing, at process block 610, recharging commences. While the chair battery is recharging, the method 600 can include parallel decision blocks 612 and 614. At decision block 612, processor 58 determines if the rechargeable power supply 22 is fully charged. If the answer to decision block 612 is NO, control loops back up to process block 610. If the answer to decision block 612 is YES, then control proceeds to process block 616. At decision block 614, the method 600 includes determining if a user has moved in or near the chair assembly. Here, data from any of several different chair, office or facility sensors may be used to discern the current location of a chair user and/or other persons or at least the relative juxtapositions of the user and/or other persons with respect to the chair assembly 10.

If the answer to decision block 614 is NO, then control loops back up to process block 610. If the answer to decision block 614 is YES, then control proceeds to process block 616. At process block 616, the recharging cycle is ended and processor 58 controls the probe motors to move the charging probes 392a into their stored and non-charging positions.

The process described above with respect to FIG. 20 may be altered in many different ways depending on the hardware included in a chair assembly but would take the general form of receiving some form of sensed data from system sensors, using the received data to discern whether or not someone is located within a space associated with a chair assembly 10, if no one is in the space associated with the chair assembly, commencing a charging process, if a chair battery is fully recharged, ceasing the charging process and if someone enters the space associated with the chair during the recharging process, halting the recharging process.

For instance, in a case where a chair includes an inductive or otherwise wireless power coupling antenna or the like and is used with an inductively coupling floor mat, wall mounted mat, under table top mat, etc., the FIG. 20 process would simply skip from block 602 to block 610 without performing blocks 604, 606 and 608 as the probe extension and polarity checking steps could be skipped.

As another instance, in a case where a chair is used with a stationary charging station akin to the one described above with respect to FIGS. 8 through 10 and the chair assembly includes a motive mechanism for moving the chair assembly from a use position to a charging position, the FIG. 20 process may be altered to include sub processes whereby the chair assembly 10 is moved prior to and after recharging. To this end, see the process 700 in exemplary FIG. 21 where, at block 702, system processors determine if charging is required and if an area or space associated with a chair assembly 10 is occupied. If charging is not required or the space associated with the chair 10 is occupied, control continues to loop through decision block 702. Once the conditions of block 702 are met control passes to block 704 where chair processor 58 moves the chair 10 to the recharging station and at block 706 a recharging connection is made between the station and the rechargeable chair battery. At block 708 recharging commences. Blocks 710, 712 and 714 in FIG. 21 are akin to blocks 212, 214 and 216, respectively, in FIG. 20. After charging is terminated at block 714, control passes to block 716 where processor 58 moves the chair assembly 10 away from the charging station and into a welcoming position as described above.

Referring still to FIG. 21, the two decisions associated with block 702 may be taken in any order. Thus, for instance, the need for charging may be considered first and only if charging is needed, the occupancy of the space associated with a chair assembly 10 may be considered. In the alternative, the occupancy of the space may be considered first and the need for recharging may only be considered if the space is unoccupied instantaneously or for at least some threshold period of time.

Similarly, the two decisions associated with blocks 710 and 712 may be sequential rather than parallel. For instance, the recharging decision block may be considered prior to the occupancy block 712 so that recharging continues once it is commenced until either recharging is complete or a user manually discontinues the recharging process. The FIG. 21 method 700 can optionally include providing a visual indicator that the rechargeable power supply 22 is being recharged during recharging.

FIG. 22 illustrates a method 800 whereby a recharging robot (e.g., motive recharging stations) is employed to recharge a chair battery. Prior to process 800, it is assumed that the chair processor 58 or some other system processor 52, 54, etc., has received data from the rechargeable battery 22 and has determined that the battery requires recharging. It is also assumed that the system processors have determined that other conditions required for recharging have occurred. For instance, the processors may have determined that the space associated with the chair assembly is unoccupied. As another instance, the processors may have determined that a time period (e.g., between midnight and 4 AM) scheduled for recharging chairs has occurred. Many other recharging conditions and sets of conditions and circumstances are contemplated.

In FIG. 22, once processors have determined that recharging is required and that conditions for recharging have occurred, at block 802 system processors generate an initiate recharging control signal which is sent to a recharging robot (see 370 in FIGS. 14 and 15). At block 804, the robot 370 is controlled to move to a recharging position relative to the chair assembly 10 and a recharging connection is formed at block 806. At block 808 recharging commences. At block 810, control continues to loop up to block 808 until recharging is complete at which time control passes to block 812 and recharging is terminated. At block 814 the recharging robot moves away from the chair assembly 10. The robot may either move back to a robot recharging station if the robot needs an additional charge or if there are no other chair assemblies requiring a recharge or may move on to a next chair assembly that needs recharging.

Referring to FIG. 23, a method 900 in which a chair user manually moves a chair assembly into a recharging position relative to a recharging assembly is illustrated. At block 902, once one or more system processors determine that recharging is required, an indication is provided to the chair user that recharging is required. The indicating step 902 may include providing an indication selected from the group consisting of a visual indication, an audio indication, a haptic indication, an olfactory indication, and combinations thereof. For instance, a motor in a chair assembly 10 may be used to vibrate a portion of the chair assembly to indicate required recharging. As another instance, in some cases a signal may be provided to a chair user's computer (see 420 in FIG. 8) causing the computer 420 to present a pop up window with a warning that recharging is required. As yet another instance, in some cases a signal may be transmitted to a user's wearable device (e.g., a wrist mounted computer device) causing the wearable device to generate a recharge warning sound, to vibrate or to present a text warning or notification that recharging is required. Many other application modules may be used to provide a warning to recharge.

At block 904, when appropriate, the chair user manually moves the chair to a recharging station and at block 906 recharging commences. As a user attempts to place a chair in a recharging position, the system may provide feedback to the user indicating whether or not a suitable connection has been made and recharging commenced. For instance, the speaker 415 (see again FIG. 6) may generate a voice signal indicating “Recharging commenced” or something akin thereto. In other cases, after connection is made via manual movement, recharging may not commence for a short period to allow the user to be located at a location away from the station (e.g., leave the office including the chair). In this case, once a suitable charging connection is made, speaker 415 may generate a voice signal indicating “Connection made, recharging will commence in five minutes”. In still other cases, after connection is made via manual movement, recharging may not commence until the space associated with a chair assembly is unoccupied and charging may automatically cease when anyone enters the chair associated space. Here, the speaker may generate a voice signal indicating “Connection made, charging will start when you leave your office” or some similar suitable indication. Connection and charging indications may be provided via other application modules associated with the chair assembly 10 or provides as part of a facility or a portable user device.

In at least some embodiments it is contemplated that two or more chair assemblies including rechargeable batteries may be located in a single office, conference space, common area of a facility, etc. In this case, it is contemplated that a single recharging station or recharging robot may be used to recharge multiple chairs in sequence. Here, each chair processor 58 may be programmed to determine its own battery charge state or condition and may provide that information wirelessly on a regular basis to a facility server or processor 54. The facility processor 54 can then identify which chair in a space is least charged and commence a recharging process for that chair first, recharging other chairs subsequently as a function of their relative charging states. Thus, for instance, where there are eight chairs in a space, facility processor 54 may send a signal to the processor 58 associated with the least charged of the eight chairs to move to a single charging station within the space to commence recharging. Then, after the first chair battery is recharged, processor 58 may move that chair away from the station and processor 58 may commence a second move and recharging cycle with a second of the chair assemblies.

In at least some cases where there are many chairs within a space, the facility processor may be programmed to keep at least a subset of the chairs in a fully recharged state at all times. Thus, in the case of an eight chair space, regardless of the lowest level of chair charge in the space, processor 587 may control recharging so that four of the chairs are fully charged at all times if possible. For instance, if one chair is only 10% charged, three are fully charged and one is 70% charged, processor 58 may be programmed to charge the 70% charged chair prior to the 10% charged chair. Conversely, in some cases, processor 58 may be programmed to charge first a chair with a lower or lowest existing charge.

Where there are two or more chair assemblies in one space, the system may indicate the chair with the greatest charge level to a user to help the user select a most charged chair. For instance, where one chair is 100% charged and a second is 30% charged in a space, processor 58 may cause the 100% charged chair to assume a welcoming position and the 30% charged chair to assume a side position (e.g., a position at a greater physical distance from an entry into the space). As another instance, if there are eight chairs in a space and four of the eight are fully charged while one is 50% charged and the other three are each 20% charged, the system may indicate the four fully charged in some fashion when a person enters the space. For instance, when a first person enters the space, a motor in each of the four fully charged chairs may cause the chair to vibrate or to rotate back and forth slightly about the center support post under the seat to allow the user to select any of the four fully charged chairs. In the alternative, one of the four fully charged chairs may vibrate, rotate back and forth, etc., to indicate a full charge.

In the above example, once the four fully charge chairs are occupied, when a fifth person enters the space, the fifth chair that is 50% charged may be controlled to indicate that it is the next most fully charged chair, and so on. In still other embodiments, where a subset of chairs is charged above a threshold level and another subset are not, the system may control the chairs to arrange the subset of chairs charged above the level about a conference table and to locate the other chairs at a side location as an indication of relative charge.

In some cases the system may assess chair battery charge and provide some indication thereof to the user. For instance, again, a chair processor 58 may transmit chair charge level to another system processor like facility processor 54, portable device processor 52 or a processor located within a space based computer 420 in FIG. 8 and the receiving processor may indicate charge status. In this regard, see FIG. 24 that shows a computer display screen shot 429 that indicates chair charge status at 422. Here, the charge status information may be relatively simple, (e.g., % charge still available) or may be far more complex. For example, a system processor 58 may be programmed to calculate a remaining charged time available prior to discharge assuming use of chair features in a fashion similar to recent use. See in this regard the additional time indicator at 424 in FIG. 24. As another example, a system processor 58 may be programmed to calculate the amount of recharging time required for a chair battery to reach a charge level sufficient for the chair to operate in a fashion similar to recent use for another one hour period and may provide an indication of that required recharging time as at 426 in FIG. 24. Similarly, assuming a chair user typically works until 5 PM each evening, a system processor 58 may be able to detect how much additional time would be required to recharge a battery to a charge level sufficient to provide power until 5 PM and provide an indication of that required time as at 428 in FIG. 24. By indicating additional time to charge to a level for powering the chair for a specific amount of time, the chair user may decide to take a recharging break for a few minutes while the chair recharges. Then, the chair may fully charge at some other suitable time (e.g., after 5 PM in the above example).

Feature Modules

Referring to FIGS. 25 though 27, chair assembly 10 can include one or more feature modules 26 (e.g., sensors or application modules (actuators)). It should be appreciated that the illustrated locations of the feature modules 26 are only examples of the locations they can occupy, and the feature modules 26 can be located in positions others than those shown in the FIGS. 25 through 27. The one or more feature modules 26 can be located on, within, or affixed to a base assembly 12, a support assembly 14, a seat assembly 16, a back assembly 18, or an arm assembly 20. It should also be appreciated that certain feature modules 26 are more appropriately located in certain positions, based on the function of that feature module 26. For example, a feature module 26 that is intended to interact with the back of a user is more suitably positioned in the back assembly 18 than elsewhere in the chair assembly 10. The feature modules 26 can be sensing modules, which can make a measurement relating to a user, the environment, a chair condition, and combinations thereof, application modules, which perform an application relating to the user, the environment, a chair condition, or combinations thereof, or combined sensors/application modules, which perform the functions of both a sensing module and an application module.

In at least some embodiments, a feature module 26 can be swappable, such that one type of feature module that is located in a particular location on the chair assembly 10 can be removed and replaced with either a replacement of the same type of feature module 26 or a different type of feature module 26. In this way, the chair assembly 10 is customizable to the user's desired experience and can be modified post-market as a user's desired experiences change.

Referring to FIG. 28, a schematic diagram showing the general electronic configuration of a chair assembly 10 is shown including chair processor 28 and exemplary feature modules 26 generally, which can include any of one, a subset of or all of the listed modules.

Sensing Modules

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include one or more user input modules for receiving a command or instruction from a user. The user input module can be a switch, a button, a touch-pad, a transceiver that receives signals from other off-chair user input devices such as a wearable computing device, etc. In some cases, the user input module can be located at any location on the chair assembly that can be accessed by a user, preferably a location that can be accessed by a user in a seated position. For example, the user input module can be located on the top, side, front, or bottom of an arm assembly 20, the front, side, or bottom of a seat assembly 16, the top, side, bottom, or back of a back assembly 18, the top, side, or bottom of a base assembly 12, or the side or bottom of a support assembly 14.

The user input module can be configured to transmit a user input signal to the processor 58 representative of the user input. The user input signal can be a simple signal indicating that a user is actuating the user input module or can have some on-board processing capacity in order to send a more complex signal that is more indicative of a user's intention. As an example of the simple signal, a user input module in the form of a button could communicate a binary signal to the processor indicating whether the button is being actuated or not. As an example of the more complex signal, a touch pad could identify a user activity on the touch pad as representing a specific command and can communicate that command to the processor rather than the user activity itself.

A remote user input module can be remote from the chair assembly 10 and serve the same function as an internal user input module. For example, a device containing a user-based processor, a facility-based processor, or a global processor can serve as a remote user input module. The remote user input module can be configured to transmit a user input signal to the processor 58 representative of the user input.

A user input module or remote user input module can be an audio sensor, such as a microphone (see, 538 of FIG. 6 and 540 of FIG. 31). A user input can be in form of a voice command, a specific sound indicative of a command, a clap of the hands indicative of a command, or any other audio that a user is capable of generating and which the processor has been programmed to interpret.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a temperature sensing module configured to measure the temperature at one or more locations on or around the chair assembly 10. Examples of a temperature sensing module include, but are not limited to, a thermometer, a thermocouple, a thermistor, combinations thereof, and other temperature sensing means known to those having ordinary skill in the temperature sensing arts. The temperature sensing module can be configured to transmit a temperature sensing signal to the processor representative of the sensed temperature. The temperature sensing module can be located at any suitable location for sensing temperature of a chair user or some chair component (e.g., the surface of a material that is in contact with a user).

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a pressure sensing module for sensing a pressure at one or more locations on the chair assembly 10. Example of a pressure sensing module include, but are not limited to, a pressure sensor, a barometer, combinations thereof, and other pressure sensing means known to those having ordinary skill in the pressure sensing arts. The pressure sensing module can be configured to transmit a pressure sensing signal to the processor 58 representative of the sensed pressure.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a pressure mapping sensing module for mapping the pressure points of a user relative to the chair assembly 10. The pressure mapping sensing module can include a plurality of pressure sensing modules, pressure sensors, a smart fabric capable of monitoring pressure, combinations thereof, and other pressure mapping means known to those having ordinary skill in the pressure sensing arts. The pressure mapping sensing module can be located in the seat assembly 16, the back assembly 18, or an arm assembly 20. The pressure mapping sensing module is located in the seat assembly 16 in at least some advantageous embodiments.

A remote pressure mapping sensing module can be located remote from the chair assembly 10 and configured to map the pressure points of a user relative to an external surface, such as a functional surface. The remote pressure mapping sensing module can be configured to transmit a pressure mapping sensing signal to the processor representative of the sensed pressure map.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include an optical sensing module for measuring optical radiation from the location of the optical sensor. Examples of optical sensing module include, but are not limited to, a camera, such as a charge-collecting device, a colorimeter, a light-emitting diode configured as a sensor, a fiber optic coupled to a sensing means, a photodetector, a photodiode, a photomultiplier tube, a phototransistor, combinations thereof, and other means of optical sensing known to those having ordinary skill in the optical sensing arts. The optical sensing module can be configured to transmit an optical sensing signal to the processor representative of the sensed optical radiation.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a LIDAR sensing module adapted to use LIDAR to sense a user, the environment surrounding the chair assembly 10, or both. The LIDAR sensing module can be configured to transmit a LIDAR sensing signal to the processor representative of the sensed LIDAR.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a radar sensing module adapted to use radar to sense a user, the environment surrounding the chair assembly 10, or both. The radar sensing module can be configured to transmit a radar sensing signal to the processor representative of the sensed radar.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a sonar sensing module adapted to use sonar to sense a user, the environment surrounding the chair assembly, or both. The sonar sensing module can be configured to transmit a sonar sensing signal to the processor representative of the sensed sonar.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a displacement sensing module adapted to detect the displacement between two or more portions of the chair assembly 10. Examples of displacement sensing modules include, but are not limited to, a capacitive displacement sensor, an inclinometer, a laser rangefinder, a linear variable differential transformer, a position sensor, a tilt sensor, a variable reluctance sensor, combinations thereof, and other displacement sensing means known to those having ordinary skill in the displacement sensing arts. The displacement sensing module can be configured to transmit a displacement sensing signal to the processor representative of the sensed displacement.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include an occupancy sensing module for sensing the presence or absence of a user in the chair assembly 10; in the vicinity of the chair assembly 10; or in a pre-defined space co-occupied by the chair assembly 10, such as in the same room as the chair assembly 10, on the same floor as the chair assembly 10, or in the same facility as the chair assembly 10.

The occupancy sensing module can include a pressure sensing module adapted to sense the presence or absence of a user in the chair assembly 10 or adapted to sense a change in pressure at one or more locations on the chair assembly 10, the change in pressure indicative of the presence or absence of a user, an optical sensing module, such as a camera, adapted to visually determine the presence or absence of a user, a LIDAR sensing module adapted to use LIDAR to determine the presence or absence of a user, a radar sensing module adapted to use radar to determine the presence or absence of a user, a sonar sensing module adapted to use sonar to determine the presence or absence of a user, a displacement sensing module adapted to use the displacement of a portion of the chair assembly to determine the presence of absence of a user in the chair assembly 10, combinations thereof, and other means of occupancy sensing known to those having ordinary skill in the occupancy sensing arts.

The occupancy sensing module can be configured to transmit an occupancy sensing signal to the processor representative of the presence or absence of a user within the chair assembly 10. In other aspects, the occupancy sensing signal can be representative of the presence or absence of a user in a pre-defined space co-occupied by the chair assembly 10.

In some aspects, a user-based processor can generate an occupancy sensing signal without the use of the occupancy sensing module by utilizing a location feature of the device in which its contained to determine the presence or absence of a user in the chair assembly 10; in the vicinity of the chair assembly 10; or in a pre-defined space co-occupied by the chair assembly 10.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a foot sensing module for sensing the placement, pressure, or placement and pressure of a user's feet when the user is seated in the chair assembly 10. The foot sensing module can be configured to transmit a foot sensing signal to the processor representative of the sensed placement, pressure, or placement and pressure of the user's feet.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include an orientation sensing module for sensing the state of the chair assembly 10 including, but not limited to, an angle of a part of the chair assembly 10, a height of a part of the chair assembly 10, a rotational angle of a chair assembly 10, combinations thereof, and other means of sensing the orientation of the chair assembly 10 known to those having ordinary skill in the orientation sensing arts. Examples of an orientation sensing module include, but are not limited to, the optical sensing module, the displacement sensing module, combinations thereof, and the like. The orientation sensing module can be configured to transmit an orientation sensing signal to the processor representative of the sensed orientation of the chair assembly 10.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a proximity sensing module for sensing the proximity of the chair assembly 10 to nearby affordances, irrespective of the chair assembly 10 position or orientation. In some aspects, the proximity sensing module can indicate that a table is some distance to the left of the chair assembly 10, without determining how the table and chair assembly 10 are positioned or oriented with respect to the location that they occupy. In some aspects, the proximity sensing module can be determined by a signal that also contains position or orientation data. The proximity sensing module can be configured to transmit a proximity sensing signal to the processor representative of a proximity of the chair assembly 10 to other affordances.

The orientation or proximity sensing signal can be generated by one or more remote sensors 512 that are remote from the chair assembly 10. For example, a camera 516 that is remote from the chair assembly 10 can acquire an image that is processed to determine the orientation of the chair assembly 10 or the proximity of the chair assembly 10 to a nearby affordance and subsequently generate an orientation or proximity sensing signal representative of the sensed orientation of the chair assembly 10 or proximity of the chair assembly 10 to other affordances.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a weight sensing module for sensing the weight of a user in the chair assembly 10. The weight sensing module can sense the weight of a user directly, such as by using a weight sensor pad integrated into the chair assembly 10, or indirectly, such as inferring a weight of a user by measuring the amount of displacement of the chair assembly 10 or a displacement or increase in pressure of a pneumatic cylinder that supports the user's body weight. The weight sensing module can be configured to transmit a weight sensing signal to the processor representative of the sensed weight of the user.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a blood oxygenation sensing module for sensing the oxygenation of the blood of a user. The blood oxygenation sensing module can include one or more transmission pulse oximetry sensors, reflectance pulse oximetry sensors, combinations thereof, and other means of blood oxygenation sensing known to those having ordinary skill in the blood oxygenation sensing arts. The blood oxygenation sensing module can be placed in contact with a user or remote from a user. The blood oxygenation sensing module can be configured to transmit a blood oxygenation sensing signal to the processor representative of the sensed blood oxygenation.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include an electric property sensing module, such as an electromyography sensing module, an electrocardiography sensing module, an electroencephalography sensing module, or any combination thereof for sensing electric properties from a user. Examples of an electric property sensing module include, but are not limited to, a capacitive sensor, a current sensor, a galvanometer, a hall effect sensor, a magnetometer, a magnetic field sensor, a Hall sensor, a voltage sensor, combinations thereof, and other electric property sensing means known to those having ordinary skill in the electric property sensing arts. The electric property sensing module can be configured to transmit an electric sensing signal to the processor representative of the sensed electric property. The electromyography, electrocardiography, and electroencephalography sensing modules can be configured to transmit electromyography, electrocardiography, and electroencephalography sensing signals, respectively, to the processor representative of the respective sensed electromyography, electrocardiography, and electroencephalography.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a location sensing module for sensing the location of a chair assembly 10 within a particular space. Examples of a location sensing module include, but are not limited to, an optical sensing module, such as a camera, adapted to visually determine the location of the chair assembly 10, a LIDAR sensing module adapted to use LIDAR to determine the location of the chair assembly 10, a radar sensing module adapted to use radar to determine the location of the chair assembly 10, a sonar sensing module adapted to use sonar to determine the location of the chair assembly 10, combinations thereof, and other means of sensing location known to those having ordinary skill in the location sensing arts. The location sensing module may be configured to transmit a location sensing signal to the processor representative of the location of the chair assembly 10. The location sensing signal can be generated by one or more sensors that are remote from the chair assembly 10.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include an aspiration sensing module for sensing the breathing of a user. The aspiration sensing module can determine the breathing rate, the breathing depth, or a combination thereof of a user by directly contacting the user or indirectly by remotely sensing the breathing rate of a user in a location where the breathing rate can be measured, for example, on the back of the user near the diaphragm, on the chest cavity of the user, or combinations thereof. Example of aspiration sensing modules that monitor the heart rate by directly contacting the user include, but are not limited to, one or more electric sensing modules located in a position suitable for coupling to a user's skin, a smart fabric, or combinations thereof, and other aspiration sensing means known to those having ordinary skill in the aspiration sensing arts. Examples of aspiration sensing modules that remotely monitor the heart rate include, but are not limited to, an optical sensing module that can be selectively aimed at one of the locations where the heart rate can be measured, or combinations thereof, and the like. The aspiration sensing module can be configured to transmit an aspiration sensing signal to the processor representative of the sensed aspiration rate or depth.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a heart rate sensing module for sensing the heart rate of a user. The heart rate sensing module can determine the heart rate of a user by directly contacting the user or indirectly by remotely sensing the heart rate of a user in a location where the heart rate can be measured, for example, on the wrist of the user, behind the knee of the user, or combinations thereof. Example of heart rate sensing modules that monitor the heart rate by directly contacting the user include, but are not limited to, an electric property sensing module, one or more electrodes located in a position suitable for coupling to a user's skin, a smart fabric, or combinations thereof, and other means of directly sensing heart rate known to those having ordinary skill in the heart rate sensing arts. Examples of heart rate sensing modules that remotely monitor the heart rate include, but are not limited to, a optical sensing module, an optical sensor that can be selectively aimed at one of the locations where the heart rate can be measured, or combinations thereof, and other means of remotely sensing the heart rate of user known to those having ordinary skill in the heart rate monitoring arts. The heart rate sensing module can be configured to transmit a heart rate sensing signal to the processor representative of the sensed heart rate.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include an internal motion sensing module for sensing movement of the chair assembly 10. Examples of an internal motion sensing module include, but are not limited to, a gyroscope, a motion detector, the LIDAR sensing module, the radar sensing module, the sonar sensing module, combinations thereof, and other means of sensing internal motion known to those having ordinary skill in the motion sensing arts. The internal motion sensing module can be configured to transmit an internal motion sensing signal to the processor representative of the sensed internal motion.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include an external motion sensing module for sensing movement of a user or other object in the vicinity of the chair assembly 10. Examples of an external motion sensing module include, but are not limited to, a motion detector, the LIDAR sensing module, the radar sensing module, the sonar sensing module, combinations thereof, and other means of sensing external motion known to those having ordinary skill in the motion sensing arts. The external motion sensing module can be configured to transmit an external motion sensing signal to the processor representative of the sensed external motion.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include an audio sensing module for sensing audio in the vicinity of the chair assembly 10. An example of an audio sensing module includes, but is not limited to, a microphone 538 (see, FIG. 6). The audio sensing module can be configured to transmit an audio sensing signal to the processor representative of the sensed audio.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include an olfactory sensing module for sensing the smell of a user or an area surrounding the chair assembly 10. Examples of an olfactory sensing module include, but are not limited to, an olfactometer, an electronic nose, combinations thereof, and other means of sensing olfactory signals known to those having ordinary skill in the olfactory sensing arts. The olfactory sensing module can be configured to transmit an olfactory sensing signal representative of the sensed smell.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a tactile sensing module for sensing the touch of a user. Examples of a tactile sensing module include, but are not limited to, a smart fabric, a tactile sensor, combinations thereof, and other means of tactile sensing known to those having ordinary skill in the tactile sensing arts. The tactile sensing module can be configured to transmit a tactile sensing signal representative of the sensed touch.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a maintenance sensing module for sensing an impending or current failure of a part of the chair assembly 10. The maintenance sensing module can be configured to transmit a maintenance sensing signal representative of the need for maintenance.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include an altitude sensing module for sensing the altitude of the chair assembly 10. An example of an altitude sensing module includes, but is not limited to, an altimeter. The altitude sensing module can be configured to transmit an altitude sensing signal representative of the sensed altitude.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include an air flow sensing module for sensing the air flow in and around the chair assembly 10. An example of an air flow sensing module includes, but is not limited to, an air flow meter. The air flow sensing module can be configured to transmit an air flow sensing signal to the processor representative of the sensed air flow.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a seismic sensing module for sensing seismic activity of the surface on which the chair assembly sits 10. Examples of a seismic sensing module include, but are not limited to, a geophone, a seismometer, combinations thereof, and other means of sensing seismic motion known to those having ordinary skill in the seismic sensing arts. The seismic sensing module can be configured to transmit a seismic sensing signal to the processor representative of the seismic activity of the surface.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a chemical sensing module for sensing the presence or abundance of a chemical species in the vicinity of the chair assembly 10. Examples of a chemical sensing module can include, but are not limited to, a breathalyzer, a carbon dioxide sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a chemical field-effect transistor, an electrochemical gas sensor, a hydrogen sensor, a hydrogen sulfide sensor, a nitrogen oxide sensor, an oxygen sensor, a ozone sensor, a potentiometric sensor, combinations thereof, and other chemical sensing means known to those having ordinary skill in the chemical sensing art. The chemical sensing module can be configured to transmit a chemical sensing signal to the processor representative of the sensed presence or abundance chemical species.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a moisture sensing module for sensing the presence or abundance of moisture at a location on the chair assembly 10 or in the vicinity of the chair assembly 10. Examples of a moisture sensing module include, but are not limited to, an electric property sensing module, a temperature sensing module, a hygrometer, combinations thereof, and other means of sensing moisture known to those having ordinary skill in the moisture sensing arts. The moisture sensing module can be configured to transmit a moisture sensing signal to the processor representative of the sensed moisture.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a posture or distribution of weight sensor. This sensor can be a standalone sensor or can be a combination of other sensors from which the posture or distribution of weight is derived or inferred.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a stress measuring module. This sensor can be a combination of other sensors from which the stress levels of a user are derived.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a time sensor for determining the length of time that has passed between sensing or actuator events or for determining the time of day.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a user identity or recognition sensor for determining the identify of a user that is in proximity to the chair assembly 10 or seated in the chair assembly 10.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a body dimensions sensor for measuring the dimensions of a user's body. For example, the length of a user's femur, the distance between a user's shoulder blades, the circumference of a user's wrist, and other body dimension measurements can be made.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include an alertness or attentiveness sensor for measuring the alertness or attentiveness of a user. This sensor can be a combination of other sensors from which the alertness or attentiveness of a user are derived. For example, an eye-movement sensor can be used to derive the alertness or attentiveness of a user.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include an emotional state sensor. This sensor can be a combination of other sensors from which the emotional state of a user are derived. For example, an galvanic skin response sensor can be used to derive the emotional state of a user.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a flow sensor. This sensor can be a combination of other sensors from which the flow of a user are derived. For example, a sensor monitoring brain activity can be used to derive the flow of a user.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include an ambient environmental sensor for sensing one or more properties of the ambient environment, including but not limited to, temperature, sound, air flow, light, and the like.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a microbial sensor for sensing the presence of microbes on or within the chair assembly or on a user.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a fatigue sensor for measuring the fatigue of a user. This sensor can be a combination of other sensors from which the flow of a user are derived.

In an aspect, a sensing module or combined sensing/application module can include a break necessity sensor for sensing a user's state of needing a break from a given task. This sensor can be a combination of other sensors from which the flow of a user are derived.

In some aspects, sensing modules or combined sensing/application modules can be adapted to only provide a signal when a change of a pre-determined degree has been sensed. This change can be a change within a single sensing module or combined sensing/application module or a collective change between multiple sensing module or combined sensing/application modules. These features can provide power usage efficiency to the sensing modules or combined sensing/application modules.

Application Modules

In an aspect, an application module or combined sensing/application module can include a motion application module, which can move part of the chair assembly 10 or the entire chair assembly 10 in response to a motion application signal. Examples of a motion application module include, but are not limited to, a motor coupled to one or more parts of the chair assembly 10; a smart material and means of providing an external stimulus to actuate the smart material, such as an electroactive material and a means of providing current to the electroactive material, a piezoelectric material and means of providing a voltage, a shape-memory material and a means of adjusting the temperature of the shape-memory material, a magnetostrictive material and means of applying a magnetic field, a pH-sensitive material and a means of adjusting the pH surrounding the pH-sensitive material, a photomechanical material, and a means of providing photons to the photomechanical material, and combinations thereof; a spring-loaded actuator; a pneumatic or hydraulic device; a solenoid; combinations thereof, and other means of applying motion known to those having ordinary skill in the mechanical arts. In one aspect, the motion application module can be a motor coupled to a caster that is affixed to the base assembly 12. The motor can be disconnected while a user is occupying the chair assembly 10 so as to reduce the force necessary to move the chair assembly 10 and to reduce wear on the motor.

In an aspect, to move the entire chair assembly 10, the motion application module can be a motor operatively coupled to a means of impulsion, such as a wheel; a magnetic means of impulsion, such as an electromagnet that is selectively magnetized and moves the chair assembly 10 along a path by virtue of the magnetization; combinations thereof, and other means of impulsion known to those having ordinary skill in the mechanical arts.

Referring to FIG. 5, the chair assembly 10 can include motion application modules, such as motors 39, at various locations that are suitable for moving the various portions of the chair assembly 10.

In an aspect, an application module or combined sensing/application module can include a heating application module for applying heat to a user in response to a heating application signal. Examples of heating application modules can include, but are not limited to, a heating pad, a carbon fiber heating cover, combinations thereof, and other means of applying heat known to those having ordinary skill in the heat application arts. Heating application modules can be located within the back assembly 18 at a location that contacts a user's lower back or lumbar region, including a central portion of the lower back, a peripheral portion of the lower back, or both, a user's mid back, including a central portion of the mid back, a peripheral portion of the mid back, or both, or a user's upper back, including a central portion of the upper back, a peripheral portion of the upper back, or both. Heating application modules can be located within the back assembly 18 at locations that target specific muscles, such as the intratransversarii muscles, the multifidus muscles, the trapezius muscles, the large latissimus dorsi, or any combination thereof.

In an aspect, an application module or combined sensing/application module can include a cooling application module for applying cooling to a user in response to a cooling application signal. Examples of cooling application modules can include, but are not limited to, a fan, a cooling pad, combinations thereof, and other means of applying cooling known to those having ordinary skill in the cooling application arts.

The heating application module and the cooling application module can be separate or can be contained within a single heating/cooling application module in response to a heating/cooling application signal.

In an aspect, an application module or combined sensing/application module can include a pressure application module for applying pressure to a user in response to a pressure application signal. Examples of the pressure application module include, but are not limited to, a motion application module configured to apply pressure to a particular area on a user, combinations thereof, and other pressure application means known to those having ordinary skill in the pressure application arts.

In an aspect, an application module or combined sensing/application module can include a haptic application module for stimulating the sense of touch of a user in response to a haptic application signal. Examples of a haptic application module include, but are not limited to, a vibratory motor, an electroactive material, a piezoelectric material, an acoustic radiation source, combinations thereof, and other means of haptic application known to those having ordinary skill in the haptic arts. In certain aspects, the haptic application module can be a motor 23 located within or affixed to a caster 15 that is disengaged from the caster 15 and engaged with an unbalanced weight to provide vibration to the chair assembly 10.

In an aspect, an application module or combined sensing/application module can include an audio application module for transmitting sound to a user or the vicinity of the chair assembly 10. The audio application module can receive an audio application signal from the processor that carries instructions that direct the audio application module to provide a particular audio response.

Examples of audio application modules can include, but are not limited to, a sound transducer, such as a speaker, an air-induced sound generating device, such as a whistle, a percussive sound generating device, such as an alarm bell, combinations thereof, and other audio sources known to those having ordinary skill in the audio arts.

In an aspect, an application module or combined sensing/application module can include a visual indicator module for providing a visual indication. The visual indicator module can receive a visual indicator signal from the processor that carries instructions that direct the visual indicator module to provide a particular visual indicator. Alternatively, the visual indicator module can receive a signal directly from a separate feature module and can provide a visual indication in response to the signal.

Examples of visual indicator modules can include, but are not limited to, a light-emitting diode, a display screen, a projector, a laser or other light source, one or more optical fibers coupled to a laser or other light source, combinations thereof, and other visual indicators known to those having ordinary skill in the optical arts.

In certain aspects, a remote visual indicator can serve the same function as the visual indicator module, but is not included in the chair assembly 10 itself. The remote visual indicator can be the same kind of visual indicator as set forth above for the visual indicator module. The remote visual indicator can be located on a docking station, within a workspace, on a device including a user-based processor, a facility-based processor, or a global processor, or any combination thereof.

In an aspect, an application module or combined sensing/application module can include a massage application module for applying massage to a user in response to a massage application signal. Examples of massage application modules include, but are not limited to, a haptic application module, a shiatsu massager, combinations thereof, and other means of applying massage known to those having ordinary skill in the massage application arts.

In an aspect, an application module or combined sensing/application module can include an olfactory application module for generating a particular olfactory experience for a user or in the vicinity of the chair assembly 10 in response to an olfactory application signal. Examples of olfactory application modules include, but are not limited to, a nozzle coupled to a source of aroma, a pheromone emitter, combinations thereof, and other means of generating an olfactory experience known to those having ordinary skill in the olfactory arts.

As described above, in many cases a user's portable computing device and/or a facility in which a chair assembly resides may includes one or more additional sensors and application modules for performing various functions that are consistent with at least some aspects of the present disclosure. In this regard, see, for instance, FIG. 29 where a set of facility sensors and application modules are presented at 430 that may be linked to the facility processor 54. Similarly, see FIG. 30 where a set of user based device sensors and application modules are presented at 440 that may be linked to the user based processor 52. Many of the sensors in FIG. 29 may be integrated into a workstation or at least may be added to an existing station and be linked to a facility or station processor via an internet of things (IOT) as described in more detail hereafter.

Referring to FIGS. 28 through 30, the processors 58, 54 and 52 may communicate data, commands and other information back and forth to facilitate any of the processes contemplated herein. In addition, any subset of the sensors and application modules described above may be used to perform various processes. Thus, for instance, a combination of 3 sensors from modules 26, 2 sensors from modules 440 and one sensor from modules 430 may be combined to generate three command signals that are used to drive three separate application modules, one in each of the module sets 26, 420 and 430. Many processes that use many different sensor combinations and control many different sets of application modules are contemplated in this disclosure.

Modes of Operation

In an aspect, the processor can be configured to operate in an occupancy sensing mode to sense the presence or absence of a user in the chair assembly 10; in the vicinity of the chair assembly 10, or in a pre-defined space co-occupied by the chair assembly 10, such as in the same room as the chair assembly 10, on the same floor as the chair assembly 10, or in the same facility as the chair assembly 10.

In some aspects, processor 58 can receive an occupancy signal from outside the chair assembly 10 that indicates that a user has just begun occupying the chair assembly 10, that the user may occupy the chair assembly 10 in the near future, or that the user is intending to occupy the chair assembly 10 in the near future. For example, an access key to a certain area of the facility can trigger the access key reader or electronics associated with the access key reader to provide an occupancy signal to the processor; identifying a user on a camera that provides images of a certain area of the facility using facial recognition or other recognition software, such as an employee badge or other wearable piece that emits or reflects light in a way that can be acquired by a camera, can trigger the delivery of an occupancy signal to the processor; and combinations thereof.

When operating in the occupancy sensing mode, the processor can be configured to generate a processor occupancy sensing signal for use in the processor or to transmit a processor occupancy sensing signal. The processor occupancy sensing signal can correspond to the presence or absence of a user in the chair assembly 10; in the vicinity of the chair assembly 10; or in a pre-defined space co-occupied by the chair assembly 10, such as in the same room as the chair assembly 10, on the same floor as the chair assembly 10, or in the same facility as the chair assembly 10. The processor occupancy sensing signal can be the same as or different than the occupancy sensing signal.

Upon sensing the presence of a user in the chair assembly 10; in the vicinity of the chair assembly 10; or in a pre-defined space co-occupied by the chair assembly 10, such as in the same room as the chair assembly 10, on the same floor as the chair assembly 10, or in the same facility as the chair assembly 10, the processor can be configured to provide a motion application signal to a motion application module, a heating application signal to a heating application module, a cooling application signal to a cooling application module, a cooling/heating application signal to a cooling/heating application module, a pressure application signal to a pressure application module, a haptic application signal to a haptic application module, an audio application signal to an audio application module, a visual indicator signal to a visual indicator module, a massage application signal to a massage application module, an olfactory application signal to an olfactory application module, or any combination thereof.

If a chair-assembly-based or user-based processor is operating in an occupancy sensing mode, the chair-assembly-based or user-based processor can record on associated memory a single-user occupancy record including the time that the user occupies the chair assembly 10. For example, the chair-assembly-based or user-based processor can record data to associated memory indicating that a user occupied the chair assembly 10 during a specific time frame and was near the chair assembly 10 during a different specific time frame.

If a facility-based or global processor is operating in an occupancy sensing mode, the facility-based or global processor can provide real-time monitoring of the use of chairs for a group of users, can record user-specific data to a single-user occupancy sensing record or a multi-user occupancy sensing record indicating the time that the user or users occupy the chair assembly 10, or a combination thereof. For example, the facility-based or global processor can display a real-time picture or real-time statistics of chair usage for a facility or group of users. As another example, the facility-based or global processor can record data to associated memory indicating the chair assembly 10 usage habits of a user or group of users.

In an aspect, the processor can be configured to operate in a user-identification mode, where the processor identifies the particular user that is occupying a chair assembly 10 or a particular user than might imminently occupy the chair assembly 10. When operating in the user-identification mode, the processor can be configured to generate a user-identification signal for use in the processor, to transmit a user-identification signal, or both. The user-identification signal can correspond to the identity of a specific user. The user-identification signal can be utilized in one or more of the operation modes described herein.

In an aspect, the processor can be configured to operate in a user-specific configuration mode, where the processor configures the chair assembly 10 to a particular user's desired configuration. The user-specific configuration mode can be triggered by the user-identification signal or another signal identifying a specific user. The particular user's desired configuration can be stored on memory accessible by the processor. On receiving a user-identification signal, the processor can provide a user-specific motion application signal to a motion application module, a user-specific heating application signal to a heating application module, a user-specific cooling application signal to a cooling application module, a user-specific cooling/heating application signal to a cooling/heating application module, a user-specific pressure application signal to a pressure application module, a user-specific haptic application signal to a haptic application module, a user-specific audio application signal to an audio application module, a user-specific visual indicator signal to a visual indicator module, a user-specific massage application signal to a massage application module, a user-specific olfactory application signal to an olfactory application module, or any combination thereof.

For example, the user-specific configuration mode can direct the chair assembly 10 to: move to a certain chair configuration that is tailored to the user; apply heating or cooling at certain locations that are tailored to the user; apply pressure at certain locations that are tailored to the user; apply certain haptic effects at certain locations that are tailored to the user; provide an audio environment that is tailored to the user; provide a visual environment that is tailored to the user; provide a massage application at certain locations that is tailored to the user; provide an olfactory experience that is tailored to the user; or a combination thereof.

A user-based processor can be configured to override other processors by transmitting an override user configuration signal that identifies the particular user to which the user-based processor is associated. For example, when a user enters a facility, a room containing the chair assembly, or sits in the chair assembly, the user-based processor can instruct a particular chair assembly 10 to be configured for the particular user's desired configuration, which can be stored on memory accessible by the processor.

In an aspect, the processor can be configured to operate in a posture determination mode to determine the posture of a user occupying the chair assembly 10. In the posture determination mode, the processor receives one or more signals from one or more sensing modules or combined sensing/application modules and determines the posture of the user. The processor can use a user input signal, a pressure sensing signal, a pressure mapping sensing signal, an optical sensing signal, a LIDAR sensing signal, a radar sensing signal, a sonar sensing signal, a displacement sensing signal, an occupancy sensing signal, a processor occupancy sensing signal, a foot sensing signal, an orientation sensing signal, an internal motion sensing signal, an external motion sensing signal, a tactile sensing signal, or a combination thereof. When operating in the posture determination mode, the processor can be configured to generate a posture sensing signal for use in the processor or to transmit a posture sensing signal. The posture sensing signal can correspond to a determined posture of the user.

Upon sensing the posture of the user, the processor can be configured to respond by providing a motion application signal to a motion application module, a heating application signal to a heating application module, a cooling application signal to a cooling application module, a cooling/heating application signal to a cooling/heating application module, a pressure application signal to a pressure application module, a haptic application signal to a haptic application module, an audio application signal to an audio application module, a visual indicator signal to a visual indicator module, a massage application signal to a massage application module, an olfactory application signal to an olfactory application module, or any combination thereof.

In response to a posture sensing signal, the processor can be configured to operate in a posture adjustment mode to adjust the posture of the user by providing a posture-adjusting motion application signal to a motion application module, a posture-adjusting heating application signal to a heating application module, a posture-adjusting cooling application signal to a cooling application module, a posture-adjusting cooling/heating application signal to a cooling/heating application module, a posture-adjusting pressure application signal to a pressure application module, a posture-adjusting haptic application signal to a haptic application module, a posture-adjusting audio application signal to an audio application module, a posture-adjusting visual indicator signal to a visual indicator module, a posture-adjusting massage application signal to a massage application module, a posture-adjusting olfactory application signal to an olfactory application module, or any combination thereof.

For example, if the posture sensing mode determines that a user is sitting with bad posture, the chair assembly 10 can induce the user to adopt a better posture position by doing one or more of the following: the motion application module or modules can provide motion to the chair assembly 10 in a way that induces improved posture; the heating, cooling, or heating/cooling application module can apply heating or cooling to particular places on the user that induce improved posture, for example, to the lower back of a user or to the upper back of a user; the pressure application module can apply pressure to particular places on the user that induce improved posture; the audio application module can provide an audio cue, the visual indicator signal can provide a visual cue, the haptic application module can provide a haptic cue, the olfactory application signal can provide an olfactory cue, or a combination thereof to instruct the user that the user is sitting with bad posture and to suggest that the user adopt a better posture; the massage application module can apply massage to the user in ways that induce improved posture. The conditions that improve a user's posture can be pre-programmed, can be based on an average effect for a group of users, can be based on a scientific study of improved posture, can be learned by the processor over time, or any combination thereof.

In an aspect related to the posture adjustment mode, the processor can be configured to operate in a blood flow improvement mode where the aforementioned posture adjustment mode is specialized for the purpose of improving blood flow in the user.

In an aspect, the processor can be configured to operate in an automatic motion mode to provide motion to the chair assembly 10 without necessitating a user input. Generally, in the automatic motion mode, the processor can be programmed to provide a motion signal to one or more motion application modules in response to a pre-determined automatic motion condition. The pre-determined automatic motion condition can include an occupancy sensing signal or processor occupancy sensing signal indicating the presence or absence of a user, an optical sensing signal indicating the presence or absence of a user, an audio sensing signal indicating the presence or absence of a user, the triggering of the user specific configuration mode, the triggering of the posture adjustment mode, or a combination thereof.

The automatic motion mode can include moving the chair assembly 10 to a different position within a workspace. The automatic motion mode can move the chair assembly 10 without a user seated in the chair assembly 10. The automatic motion mode can move the chair assembly 10 with a user seated in the chair assembly 10.

In an aspect, the processor can be configured to operate in a manual motion mode to provide motion to the chair assembly 10 based at least partially on a user input. Generally, in the manual motion mode, the processor can be programmed to provide a motion signal to a motion application module in response to a signal from to the user input module indicating that a user has instructed the chair assembly 10 to move in a particular fashion.

The manual motion mode can include manually adjusting parameters of the chair assembly 10 to be tailored for a specific user. The manual motion mode can include moving the chair assembly 10 to a different position within a workspace at least partially in response to a user command provided to the user input module or remote user input module and communicated to the processor.

As a subset of the automatic motion mode or the manual motion mode, the processor can be configured to operate in a return-to-docking-station mode. In the return-to-docking-station mode, the processor can provide a motion application signal that directs one or more motion application modules to move the chair assembly 10 to the docking station to allow the chair to recharge at the docking station. The return-to-docking-station mode can be triggered by an occupancy sensing signal or processor occupancy sensing signal indicating the absence of a user, a user input signal directing the chair assembly 10 to return to the docking station, a power level signal that is below a pre-determined threshold, or a combination thereof.

As a subset of the automatic motion mode or the manual motion mode, the processor can be configured to operate in a move-to-recharging-position mode. In the move-to-recharging-position mode, the processor can provide a motion application signal that directs the motion application module to move the chair assembly 10 to a recharging position to allow the chair to recharge at the docking station. The move-to-recharging-position mode can be triggered by an occupancy sensing signal or processor occupancy sensing signal indicating the absence of a user, a user input signal directing the chair assembly 10 to move to a recharging position, a power level signal that is below a pre-determined threshold, or a combination thereof.

In an aspect, the processor can be configured to operate in a heating application mode to apply heating to one or more specific locations on a user. In heating app